Examining how screening tools for autism may misidentify Black and Hispanic children.
Official title: The practical impact of inequitable item responding on the diagnostic accuracy of screening tools for identifying Black and Hispanic children with autism.
Funded at University of Wyoming · NIH-11003776 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well autism screening tools work for Black and Hispanic children, who sometimes get diagnosed later than White children, to make sure that all kids aged 3 to 5 get the help they need as early as possible.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wyoming NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Laramie, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $63,605 |
| NIH project number | 5R03MH133082-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003776 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Black and Hispanic children aged 3 to 5 years who are undergoing autism screening.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not within the age range of 3 to 5 years or who do not belong to the Black or Hispanic racial/ethnic groups may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the accuracy of autism screening tools for Black and Hispanic children, who are often diagnosed later than their White counterparts. It aims to identify specific items within these screening instruments that may perform differently based on a child's racial or ethnic background. By employing advanced statistical methods, the study will analyze how these disparities affect the overall effectiveness of the tools used for diagnosing autism in children aged 3 to 5 years. The goal is to improve the diagnostic process and ensure equitable identification of autism across diverse populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and timely autism diagnoses for Black and Hispanic children, reducing health disparities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that screening tools may not perform equally across different racial and ethnic groups, highlighting the need for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wyoming
Laramie, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moody, Eric J — University of Wyoming
- Study coordinator: Moody, Eric J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Neural roots of how autistic adults understand word meaning
A study to understand how adults with autism process word meanings in the brain, aiming to improve language support.
-
Sleep and daily rhythms and brain development in autism
Aiming to understand how sleep problems and daily activity patterns affect brain growth, thinking skills, daily functioning, and autism symptoms in children.
-
Early sensory development and language in infants/toddlers at risk for autism
A family-friendly study exploring how early sensory responses relate to language development in young children who have siblings with autism.
-
Autism Caregiver Coaching in Africa for Young Children
A Duke University-led project in South Africa aims to help young children with autism by training caregivers to deliver proven coaching strategies through non-specialist providers.
-
Autism and Self-regulation: Remote Testing of Heart-Related Signals in Kids
A study to see if remote testing can safely measure how children with autism and disruptive behavior manage emotions and self-control by tracking heart signals and other markers.
-
Understanding brain signals in autism to identify biologically distinct subtypes
This study uses EEG to link how the brain processes sensory information with behavior in young children with autism and related concerns.
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.