Support program for parents of young children diagnosed with autism

Test of an Innovative, Scalable Support Program for Parents with a Young Child Recently Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

['FUNDING_R01'] · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE · NIH-10795645

This study is testing a new program called Autism Parent Navigators, which offers friendly support to parents of young kids recently diagnosed with autism, helping them find their way through challenges and services to create a better home environment for their children.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorPENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE (nih funded)
Locations1 site (UNIVERSITY PARK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10795645 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates a new support program called Autism Parent Navigators (APN) designed to help parents of young children recently diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The program utilizes trained parent peer mentors to provide in-home support, helping families navigate the challenges of ASD and access necessary services. By focusing on improving the family environment and parental well-being, the program aims to enhance behavioral adjustment in children with ASD. The approach has been developed based on extensive pilot work that demonstrated its feasibility and acceptability.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are parents of young children (ages 0-11) who have recently received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Not a fit: Parents of children who are not diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder or those whose children are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the mental health and family dynamics of parents, leading to better outcomes for children with autism.

How similar studies have performed: Previous pilot studies have shown promising results for similar peer support models in improving parental adjustment and child behavior outcomes.

Where this research is happening

UNIVERSITY PARK, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.