Early signs of autism in Latino children
Identifying and Distinguishing Early indicators of Autism in Latino children (IDEAL)
The project will follow young Latino children’s language and communication to spot early signs of autism and learn how bilingualism shapes those signs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11261741 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Your child would join a study that follows Latino toddlers and preschoolers over time to map how language and social communication develop. Researchers will collect parent questionnaires in Spanish or English, observe interactions, and do brief language and communication tests with children. The team will use bilingual staff and culturally adapted tools so families can participate in the language they use at home. By comparing children who show typical development with those who are later identified with autism, the study aims to refine early detection for Latino and bilingual kids.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are Latino children in early childhood (infancy through preschool), including those from Spanish-speaking or bilingual (English/Spanish) homes.
Not a fit: This project may not directly benefit older children, adults, non-Latino children, or families unable to attend assessments in the study area.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to earlier and more accurate autism screening and culturally appropriate supports for Latino and bilingual children.
How similar studies have performed: Some screening tools work well in English-speaking groups, but studies focused on Latino and bilingual children are limited, so this work addresses a known gap rather than relying on widely validated, population-specific findings.
Where this research is happening
Austin, United States
- University of Texas at Austin — Austin, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vanegas, Sandra — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Vanegas, Sandra
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 below.