Improving communication and behavior in young children with autism through parent involvement

Optimizing Outcomes through Sequencing Parent-Mediated Interventions for Young Children with Autism

NIH-funded research Northwestern University · NIH-10952181

This study is looking at the best way for parents to help their young children with autism by trying out two different types of support—one for communication and one for behavior—to see which order works best for improving their skills and reducing challenging behaviors.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorthwestern University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10952181 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing outcomes for young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) by optimizing the sequence of two parent-mediated interventions. The study aims to determine the best order to implement a communication intervention and a behavior intervention, both designed to support children with ASD and their families. By involving parents in the process, the research seeks to improve children's social communication skills and address disruptive behaviors. The approach includes a randomized trial to assess the effectiveness of different intervention sequences.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are young children aged 0-11 years diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and their parents.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders or are older than 11 years may not receive benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved communication and behavioral outcomes for children with autism, benefiting both the children and their families.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success with individual parent-mediated interventions, but this adaptive approach to sequencing them is novel and untested.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, 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.
Conditions Autistic Disorder
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.