Early sensory development and language in infants/toddlers at risk for autism
Official title: Sensory Project in Infant/Toddler Siblings of Children with Autism (Project SPIS)
Funded at University of Hawaii at Manoa · NIH-11594304 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A family-friendly study exploring how early sensory responses relate to language development in young children who have siblings with autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $542,051 |
| NIH project number | 7R01DC020186-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11594304 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are infants/toddlers (and their families) who have an older sibling with autism.
✕Less likely to help
Families without an at-risk child or those not involved in language development research may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project follows infants and toddlers who have a higher chance of developing autism because a sibling has the condition. Researchers will look at early sensory processing and how it relates to later speech and language use, aiming to identify new predictors beyond the usual ones. The study is grounded in brain and behavior science and will connect sensory patterns with opportunities for language-rich interactions. Families may be invited to participate in assessments and observe how early experiences influence communication growth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could help tailor earlier, more effective supports to boost language development for children at risk for autism.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests sensory processing relates to communicative outcomes, but more evidence is needed for clear predictive links.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woynaroski, Tiffany — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Woynaroski, Tiffany
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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.