Earlier autism detection during 18- and 24-month pediatric check-ups
Official title: Strategies to Facilitate Early Detection of Autism in Primary Care
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-11180116 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests ways to make autism screening at 18- and 24-month pediatric visits find signs earlier so toddlers can get help sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 6, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $547,963 |
| NIH project number | 5P50HD111142-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11180116 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Toddlers around 18 and 24 months old who receive routine care at participating pediatric clinics and whose families consent to use of their health information.
✕Less likely to help
Children who are older than the screening ages, already diagnosed, or who do not attend participating clinics may not benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
From a parent's view, researchers are looking at medical records for at least 27,000 toddlers and information from at least 250 pediatric providers to see what helps screenings happen correctly at both the 18- and 24-month visits. They use a pseudo-trial design and examine factors like a child's background, pediatricians' beliefs and experience, and clinic features to find what predicts high-fidelity screening and earlier diagnosis. The team also looks at whether children who screen positive are referred promptly for evaluation and early intervention. The goal is to identify practical changes clinics can make so more children are identified and start services sooner.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to more toddlers with autism being identified earlier and starting early intervention sooner.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research shows screening at 18 and 24 months can find autism earlier and that early intervention improves outcomes, but real-world clinic implementation has been inconsistent and needs better strategies.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Robins, Diana L — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Robins, Diana L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Early autism screening in primary care to help kids get diagnosed sooner
This grant tests how to reliably screen for autism during routine pediatric check-ups to help children get diagnosed earlier and access intervention sooner.
-
Optimizing autism diagnosis training for primary care
Aiming to help primary care providers diagnose autism more accurately and quickly so more children get support without long waits.
-
PEP Talk for Parents: Helping Young Children With Autism Access Early Education and School Services
A program helps pediatricians talk with families of very young children with autism to speed up access to early intervention and school-based services.
-
Improving early detection of autism in young children during check-ups
This study is looking at ways to make autism screenings during kids' check-ups better, especially for children aged 0-11, so that all kids, including those from less represented and lower-income families, can get the help they need as early as possible.
-
Using mobile technology to help toddlers with autism improve social interactions
This study is looking at how a virtual coaching program can help toddlers with autism by teaching their families ways to support their development in everyday life, and it aims to find out if starting this support earlier makes a difference for the kids.
-
Testing a mobile coaching program for toddlers with autism
This study is looking at how well a virtual coaching program can help toddlers with autism connect and communicate better, and it’s for families with young children who are showing early signs of autism.
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.