Improving early intervention services for children with autism

3/4: Improving the Part C Early Intervention Service Delivery System for Children with ASD: A Randomized Clinical Trial

NIH-funded research Rush University Medical Center · NIH-10850853

This study is looking to improve support for young children under 3 who show early signs of autism by training caregivers and providers to use a fun and easy method called Reciprocal Imitation Training, so families can help their kids at home and see better outcomes.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRush University Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project IDNIH-10850853 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to enhance the delivery of early intervention services for children under 3 years old who show early signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It focuses on training early intervention providers to implement a specific behavioral intervention called Reciprocal Imitation Training (RIT), which is designed to be easy to learn and can be used by families at home. By conducting a randomized controlled trial, the research will assess the effectiveness of this training and its impact on children's outcomes. The goal is to increase the capacity and quality of services available to these children within the existing public health infrastructure.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children under the age of 3 who exhibit early signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Not a fit: Children over the age of 3 or those without early signs of autism may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved developmental outcomes for children with early signs of autism through better access to specialized interventions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that early intervention strategies can significantly improve outcomes for children with autism, suggesting that this approach may also be effective.

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.