Early signs of language growth in very young autistic toddlers
EMERGE: Early Markers of Expressive and Receptive (language) Growth in Emergent autistic toddlers.
This project is looking for early signs that predict which autistic toddlers will start using words between about 18 and 36 months.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11175310 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You and your child would be followed through the key 18–36 month language window to watch how understanding and use of words change over time. Families will share information through parent reports, play-based language samples, and standardized language and behavior measures at several visits. The team will search for patterns—including attention or brain-related signals—that appear before spoken words emerge. The goal is to find clear early signs parents and clinicians can use to offer the right supports sooner.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are autistic toddlers around 18–24 months who have few or no words and whose families can attend follow-up visits.
Not a fit: Children who already speak fluently, are older than the study window, or do not have an autism diagnosis are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help identify which toddlers are likely to develop spoken language so interventions can be targeted earlier.
How similar studies have performed: Past studies show earlier speaking tends to link with better outcomes, but reliable early markers to predict who will start speaking are still limited.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kasari, Connie L. — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Kasari, Connie L.
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.