Finding early signs of language delays in young children with autism using home video tasks
Examining precursors to language impairment in ASD via remote assessment
['FUNDING_R21'] · DUKE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11252171
Using short, home-based video activities and automated gaze tracking, this project looks for early signals that a young child's language may lag so families can get help sooner.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R21'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | DUKE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DURHAM, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11252171 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you are the parent of an infant sibling of a child with autism, this project asks you to complete brief, game-like video tasks at home while your child's looking is recorded on a phone or computer. The videos are automatically analyzed with computer-vision tools that estimate where your child looks during each task. Researchers will link those early looking patterns to later language development to spot which children are at higher risk for persistent language difficulties. The team aims to create a simple, scalable home-based screening approach that could help families access targeted supports earlier.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Infants and very young children—especially infant siblings of children diagnosed with autism—whose families can complete brief remote video tasks at home with an internet-connected device.
Not a fit: Families without reliable internet or a compatible device, older children, or children who are already speaking at expected levels may not benefit from this specific remote infant-focused approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable earlier identification of children at risk for long-term language difficulties and guide timely, targeted interventions.
How similar studies have performed: Small prior studies show remote looking-time tasks and automated gaze tracking are feasible, but applying them to predict later language outcomes in autism is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
DURHAM, UNITED STATES
- DUKE UNIVERSITY — DURHAM, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TENENBAUM, ELENA JEAN — DUKE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: TENENBAUM, ELENA JEAN
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