Coaching caregivers to support autistic children in Africa

Autism Caregiver Coaching in Africa

['FUNDING_R01'] · DUKE UNIVERSITY · NIH-10877738

This study is all about helping autistic children in Africa by teaching caregivers how to use special techniques to support their development, making sure these methods fit well with local cultures and languages, so families can thrive together.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorDUKE UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (DURHAM, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10877738 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving the quality of life for autistic children in Africa by training caregivers to implement early autism interventions. It addresses the significant shortage of specialists by empowering non-specialist practitioners to deliver effective coaching based on Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBI). The study will adapt these interventions to fit the cultural and linguistic context of South Africa, aiming to create a scalable model that can be integrated into existing community care systems. By involving caregivers directly, the research seeks to enhance both child and family outcomes in a sustainable manner.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are families with children aged 0-11 years diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) living in South Africa.

Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 0-11 years or those not diagnosed with ASD may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide accessible and effective autism intervention strategies for families in Africa, improving outcomes for autistic children and their caregivers.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in implementing caregiver coaching models in various contexts, suggesting that this approach could be effective in Africa as well.

Where this research is happening

DURHAM, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Autistic Disorder

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.