Exploring how speech and song can help children with autism develop language skills
Social Visual Attention and Language Development in Autism: Leveraging Infant-Directed Speech and Song to Identify Multimodal Mechanisms of Communication
['FUNDING_R01'] · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-10990364
This study is looking at how babies, especially those with autism, can learn to talk better by paying attention to both speech and music, and it aims to find out how watching and listening to their caregivers can help improve their communication skills.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NASHVILLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-10990364 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This research investigates how infants, particularly those with autism, can improve their language development through attention to speech and song. By observing how infants shift their focus from a speaker's eyes to their mouth, the study aims to identify key factors that enhance communication skills. The approach includes analyzing the effects of multimodal signals, such as the combination of visual and auditory cues from caregivers, on language acquisition. The goal is to optimize interventions that support early language development in children with communication challenges.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants and young children aged 0-11 years who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Not a fit: Children who are typically developing and do not have any communication challenges may not receive direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective strategies for improving language skills in children with autism.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that multimodal approaches, like combining speech and song, can enhance language development in typically developing infants, suggesting potential success for this approach in children with autism.
Where this research is happening
NASHVILLE, UNITED STATES
- VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER — NASHVILLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LENSE, MIRIAM — VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- Study coordinator: LENSE, MIRIAM
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.
Conditions: Autistic Disorder