Optimizing online teaching for caregivers to boost language in autistic kids
Official title: Crafting Optimized teaching strategies for Caregivers Online to maximize Autistic children's language learning (COCOA)
Funded at University of Oregon · NIH-11449151 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A caregiver-focused program tests online teaching tools to help improve how autistic children 2–11 years old use language.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oregon NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Eugene, United States) |
| Project start | August 6, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $659,010 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DC023382-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449151 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 2–11 with autism and their caregivers who are willing to participate in remote caregiver-implemented interventions.
✕Less likely to help
Children who do not have access to the internet or caregiver availability to implement online strategies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant explores caregiver-mediated JASPER interventions delivered through remote teaching methods to help young autistic children develop spontaneous speech and communication. The project uses a 23-factorial design to test three strategies—synchronous online coaching, video feedback, and self-guided online materials—to see which combination best supports caregiver implementation and child language outcomes. Conducted at the University of Oregon, the study aims to make effective care more accessible and reduce caregiver burden by refining remote teaching approaches. Families participate by learning and applying these strategies with their children in home settings, with researchers measuring language gains and implementation quality.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, families could access more effective, flexible online coaching that helps autistic children communicate more easily.
How similar studies have gone: Previous JASPER-based studies show improvements in communication when caregivers are well-supported, suggesting potential for positive outcomes with optimized remote delivery.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oregon
Eugene, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shire, Stephanie Yoshiko — University of Oregon
- Study coordinator: Shire, Stephanie Yoshiko
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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.