Helping parents support children waiting for an autism diagnosis

Opt In - Implementation and Evaluation of an Early Intervention Program for Children Waiting to Receive an Autism Diagnosis

NIH-funded research Drexel University · NIH-11046237

This study is all about helping parents of kids who are waiting to find out if they have autism by giving them online training to learn helpful strategies that can support their child's growth and reduce any worries, even before a diagnosis is made.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDrexel University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-11046237 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on providing early intervention resources to parents of children who are waiting for an autism diagnosis. It aims to empower caregivers by offering an online training program called 'Online Parent Training in Early Behavioral Intervention (OPT-In-Early)', which includes modules that teach evidence-based strategies to support their child's development. By addressing developmental concerns early, the program seeks to mitigate the harmful delays often associated with the diagnostic process. The goal is to enhance adaptive behaviors and reduce anxiety in children before they receive a formal diagnosis.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are parents or caregivers of children under 11 years old who are awaiting an autism diagnosis.

Not a fit: Patients who have already received an autism diagnosis or are over the age of 11 may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the waiting time for effective interventions for children with autism, leading to better developmental outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that early interventions for autism can be beneficial, suggesting that this approach may also yield positive results.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, 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.