Understanding how children develop attention and process sights and sounds

Intersensory Processing, Developmental Trajectories, and Longitudinal Outcomes

['FUNDING_R01'] · FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY · NIH-11145231

This project helps us understand how young children learn to pay attention to different sights and sounds, especially those who might be at risk for conditions like autism.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorFLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (MIAMI, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11145231 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

We are learning how infants and young children develop important attention skills, like focusing on a speaker's face and voice or shifting attention between different things. These "multisensory attention skills" are crucial for language, social, and thinking development. Our work uses new methods to track how these skills grow from infancy through early childhood. By understanding typical development, we can better identify children who might be at risk for developmental challenges, including those related to autism.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research focuses on infants and young children, specifically those between 3 and 72 months of age, including those with or at risk for Autistic Disorder.

Not a fit: Adults or older children would not directly benefit from this specific research, as it focuses on early childhood development.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier identification of developmental differences in attention, allowing for more timely support for children.

How similar studies have performed: This project builds upon newly developed protocols for measuring multisensory attention skills in young children, with initial findings already modeling developmental pathways.

Where this research is happening

MIAMI, 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 →

Conditions: Autistic Disorder

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.