Training for parents of Latinx toddlers with autism
Official title: Parent Training for Latinx Autistic Toddlers: Development and Preliminary Testing
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11065424 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a helpful online training program for Spanish-speaking parents of young children who may have autism, giving them easy-to-use tools and strategies to support their child's growth while they wait for a diagnosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $242,161 |
| NIH project number | 5R34MH132712-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11065424 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Latinx families with toddlers who have been diagnosed or are suspected of having autism.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Latinx or whose children are not within the toddler age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and testing a bilingual online training program for parents of Latinx toddlers diagnosed or suspected to have autism. The program, called OPT-In-Early, aims to provide parents with essential skills in applied behavior analysis and naturalistic interventions to support their child's development while they wait for formal diagnosis and intervention. It includes video demonstrations and guidance on integrating teaching into daily routines, making it accessible and user-friendly. The goal is to empower parents with strategies to enhance communication, reduce challenging behaviors, and foster a positive parent-child relationship.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve early intervention access and outcomes for Latinx children with autism.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown positive outcomes with similar parent training interventions, indicating potential for success in this culturally tailored approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zuckerman, Katharine Elizabeth — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Zuckerman, Katharine Elizabeth
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.