Autism in Young Children with Down Syndrome
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-11384091 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how autism may show up in very young children who also have Down syndrome, to help catch signs earlier and plan better supports.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,200,080 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD110542-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384091 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are young children with Down syndrome aged roughly 18–45 months at study entry, and their families.
✕Less likely to help
Children not in the age range or without Down syndrome may not directly benefit from this specific study.
What this research studies
If you have a child with Down syndrome, this project aims to identify early signs of autism by looking at development across thinking, talking, movement, and daily skills, along with medical factors like birth weight and sleep patterns. The study follows 225 kids aged around 18 months to 4 years over three time points to see how early features relate to later ASD symptoms. Researchers will combine developmental assessments with medical history to understand risk patterns and guide earlier, tailored interventions. The goal is to improve detection so families can access supports sooner and more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Early and accurate ASD screening in children with Down syndrome could lead to earlier interventions and better long-term outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests that complex development in DS can conceal ASD signs, and this study aims to build on that by combining developmental and medical data.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fidler, Deborah J — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Fidler, Deborah J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Autism risk in young children with Down syndrome
Researchers will look for early signs and health factors linked to autism in young children with Down syndrome so those most at risk can get support sooner.
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Understanding autism in young children with Down syndrome
This study is looking at how Down syndrome and autism might be connected in young kids, and it’s for parents of children with Down syndrome who want to learn more about early signs of autism and how to help their kids.
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Identifying autism risk in young children with Down syndrome
This study is looking to find better ways to spot autism in young children with Down syndrome, by checking their skills and health, so that they can get the help they need as early as possible.
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Exploring how Down syndrome affects optic nerve health in kids
A study using a mouse model to understand why optic nerve problems are common in children with Down syndrome and how to prevent them.
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Neural roots of how autistic adults understand word meaning
A study to understand how adults with autism process word meanings in the brain, aiming to improve language support.
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Executive Function Enhancement for Young Children with Down Syndrome
A caregiver-guided program for kids with Down syndrome aged up to 11 to strengthen their thinking skills during early childhood.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.