Testing a mobile coaching program for toddlers with autism
3/3-Effectiveness Trial of the Early Social Interaction (ESI) Model using Mobile Technology for Toddlers with Autism Identified from Early Screening in Primary Care
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10668446 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of a virtual early intervention program called Early Social Interaction Mobile Coaching (ESI-MC) for toddlers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Families will participate in telehealth sessions that provide coaching and feedback to help integrate intervention strategies into daily activities. The study will recruit 240 children showing early signs of autism and assess their social communication and engagement over time, comparing outcomes based on when they start the intervention. The goal is to determine if earlier intervention leads to better developmental outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are toddlers aged 18 months to 30 months who have been identified with early signs of autism.
Not a fit: Patients who are older than 30 months or do not show early signs of autism may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a scalable and effective intervention model that improves social communication skills in toddlers with autism.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using telehealth and mobile technology for early interventions in autism, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lord, Catherine — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Lord, Catherine
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 below.