Helping low-resourced families find services for young children with autism

Testing a family service navigator program for low-resourced families of young children with autism spectrum disorder

NIH-funded research Vanderbilt University · NIH-11018086

This study is testing a new program to help families with limited resources find and coordinate services for their young children with autism, making it easier for parents to get the support they need for their kids aged 3-5.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVanderbilt University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11018086 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a program designed to assist low-resourced families in accessing services for their young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It aims to develop a Family Service Navigator program that will help parents identify and coordinate necessary services, addressing the challenges they face due to varying eligibility criteria and service delivery systems. The project will utilize a hybrid design to create a support system that includes technology-based tools and peer support from trained parents. By focusing on families with limited resources, the program seeks to improve access to evidence-based treatments for children aged 3-5 with ASD.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are low-resourced families with young children aged 3-5 who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Not a fit: Families with children who do not have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or those who are not facing resource limitations may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve access to essential services for young children with autism in low-resourced families, leading to better developmental outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that patient navigator models can be effective in improving access to services for various populations, suggesting potential success for this approach in the context of autism services.

Where this research is happening

Nashville, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.