Identifying early signs of autism in Latino children
Official title: Identifying and Distinguishing Early indicators of Autism in Latino children (IDEAL)
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11045353 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how autism shows up in Latino children, especially in their language and communication skills, to help improve understanding and support for bilingual kids and their families.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $710,632 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DC022420-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045353 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are Latino children aged 0 to 5 years who may exhibit early signs of autism or are at risk for developmental delays.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Latino or are outside the age range of 0 to 5 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how autism spectrum disorder (ASD) manifests in Latino children, particularly in relation to their language and communication skills. By examining early developmental trajectories, the project aims to identify indicators of autism that are specific to this population. The study will involve assessing both English and Spanish-speaking children to ensure that the findings are relevant to bilingual environments. This approach seeks to address the disparities in autism diagnosis and support for Latino children and their families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved screening and diagnostic practices for autism in Latino children, enhancing their developmental outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While research on autism has been conducted, this specific focus on Latino children and bilingual environments is relatively novel and has not been extensively studied.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vanegas, Sandra — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Vanegas, Sandra
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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.