NIH-funded research R01 grant

How early parent-infant interactions affect children at risk for ADHD or autism

Official title: Early Dyadic Synchrony and Middle Childhood Outcomes Among Infants at Genetic Risk for ADHD or Autism

Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11131973 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study looks at how the way parents and babies interact early on can affect children who might be at risk for ADHD or autism, helping us understand how to support them better as they grow up.

More ADHD research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California at Davis
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Davis, United States)
Project startMay 1, 2025
Project endApril 30, 2030
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$794,931
NIH project number1R01MH137613-01A1
Project IDNIH-11131973 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are infants and young children who have a genetic predisposition to ADHD or autism spectrum disorder.

Less likely to help

Patients who do not have a genetic risk for ADHD or autism may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of early parent-infant interactions on children who are genetically at risk for ADHD or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By examining the synchrony in these interactions, the study aims to understand how these early experiences may influence the development of ADHD and ASD symptoms as children grow. The research will involve observing and analyzing the behaviors of both parents and infants during interactions to identify patterns that could either mitigate or exacerbate genetic risks. The findings could provide insights into how to support at-risk children during critical developmental periods.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved early intervention strategies for children at risk for ADHD and autism, potentially enhancing their developmental outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that early parent-infant interactions can significantly influence developmental outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California at Davis
    Davis, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Miller, Meghan Rhys — University of California at Davis
  • Study coordinator: Miller, Meghan Rhys

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Early dyadic synchrony and outcomes in kids at risk for ADHD or autism

    A study following children who have genetic risk for ADHD or autism to see how early parent‑child interactions relate to thinking, behavior, and school outcomes later on.

    NIH research University of California at Davis · Davis, United States · NIH-11326747

  • Understanding how anxiety and ADHD affect autism spectrum disorder

    This study is looking at how conditions like anxiety and ADHD affect children with autism, so we can better understand their needs and improve how we diagnose and treat them.

    NIH research Duke University · Durham, United States · NIH-11140296

  • Understanding brain connectivity in autism and ADHD

    This study is looking at how the brain's reward system works in people with autism and ADHD compared to those without these conditions, hoping to find new insights that could improve diagnosis and treatment for everyone involved.

    NIH research University of Southern California · Los Angeles, UNITED STATES · NIH-11054459

  • Understanding language development in infants at risk for autism and ADHD

    This study is looking at how babies who might be at risk for autism and ADHD learn to talk, using a fun eye-tracking game to see how they connect words to their meanings and the world, so we can better understand their language development.

    NIH research University of California at Davis · Davis, United States · NIH-10997219

  • 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.

    NIH research Ut Southwestern Medical Center · Dallas, United States · NIH-11640092

  • 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.

    NIH research Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11597098

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.