Autism risk in young children with Down syndrome
Official title: Autism in Young Children with Down Syndrome
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-11127701 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,213,109 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD110542-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11127701 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Young children with Down syndrome roughly between 18 and 45 months of age whose caregivers can attend three study visits are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Children without Down syndrome, children older than the study window, or families unable to travel to study visits would not be eligible and would not directly benefit from participation.
What this research studies
If your child joins, researchers will follow a group of 225 young children with Down syndrome at about 18–21 months, 30–33 months, and 42–45 months. At each visit they will measure thinking, communication, motor skills, daily living abilities, and record autism-related behaviors. The team will also gather medical history about factors such as premature birth, low birth weight, infantile spasms, congenital heart defects, sleep problems, and gastrointestinal issues. They will combine the developmental and medical information to find patterns that predict which children show autism signs over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify children with Down syndrome who are at higher risk for autism earlier so they can receive tailored early support.
How similar studies have gone: Standard autism screening tools have worked in general-population toddlers, but applying them specifically to young children with Down syndrome is relatively new and less studied.
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 in Young Children with Down Syndrome
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.
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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.