Optimizing autism diagnosis training for primary care
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11357602 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aiming to help primary care providers diagnose autism more accurately and quickly so more children get support without long waits.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,464,714 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH141009-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11357602 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 0-11 years who are suspected of having autism and their families.
✕Less likely to help
Children without autism or those not engaging with primary care autism screening may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This grant supports improving how pediatric primary care clinicians are trained to recognize and diagnose autism in children 0-11 years old. It builds on existing training models and tests enhancements to make high-quality diagnosis scalable in everyday clinics, especially in rural or under-resourced areas. The project will use education modules, real-case observations, hands-on practicum, and collaborative learning to increase adoption of accurate autism diagnoses in primary care. The goal is faster, more accessible diagnoses and smoother entry into early-intervention services for families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more children will receive timely and accurate autism diagnoses in their regular doctors' offices, reducing delays and family stress.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows primary care diagnosis in PCPs is feasible and accurate, with room to scale through improved training.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcnally Keehn, Rebecca — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Mcnally Keehn, Rebecca
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Early autism screening in primary care to help kids get diagnosed sooner
This grant tests how to reliably screen for autism during routine pediatric check-ups to help children get diagnosed earlier and access intervention sooner.
-
PEP Talk for Parents: Helping Young Children With Autism Access Early Education and School Services
A program helps pediatricians talk with families of very young children with autism to speed up access to early intervention and school-based services.
-
Earlier autism detection during 18- and 24-month pediatric check-ups
This project tests ways to make autism screening at 18- and 24-month pediatric visits find signs earlier so toddlers can get help sooner.
-
Improving early detection of autism in young children during check-ups
This study is looking at ways to make autism screenings during kids' check-ups better, especially for children aged 0-11, so that all kids, including those from less represented and lower-income families, can get the help they need as early as possible.
-
Using mobile technology to help toddlers with autism improve social interactions
This study is looking at how a virtual coaching program can help toddlers with autism by teaching their families ways to support their development in everyday life, and it aims to find out if starting this support earlier makes a difference for the kids.
-
Testing a mobile coaching program for toddlers with autism
This study is looking at how well a virtual coaching program can help toddlers with autism connect and communicate better, and it’s for families with young children who are showing early signs of autism.
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.