Improving communication in minimally verbal children with autism

ConProject-001

NIH-funded research Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-10689730

This study is looking for ways to help young children with autism who have trouble speaking and socializing by understanding how their bodies and brains work, so we can create special programs that support their communication skills as they start school.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBoston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10689730 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how to enhance speech and social communication in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are minimally verbal. It aims to identify the underlying motor and neural mechanisms contributing to their communication challenges and to develop targeted behavioral interventions. By employing a multidisciplinary approach that includes communication disorders, speech science, and developmental neuroscience, the research seeks to determine which children are likely to benefit from specific interventions during their early school years. The project involves advanced technologies and methods to assess motor functioning and neural activity in these children.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who are minimally verbal.

Not a fit: Patients who are verbally proficient or do not have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective interventions that significantly improve communication skills in minimally verbal children with autism.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in improving communication skills in similar populations using targeted behavioral interventions.

Where this research is happening

Boston, 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.