Understanding how language skills develop in children with autism
Official title: Examining precursors to language impairment in ASD via remote assessment
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11043286 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how young children with autism spectrum disorder learn to talk, using online tools so families can participate from home, and it hopes to find ways to help those who might struggle with speaking as they grow up.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $201,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DC022378-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043286 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include infants and young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or those at high risk due to family history.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not on the autism spectrum or do not have a family history of autism may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the early development of language skills in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by using remote assessments. It aims to identify the mechanisms that contribute to language impairment, particularly in children who may remain minimally verbal into adulthood. By leveraging technology to conduct assessments from home, the study seeks to gather a large sample of data on infants at risk for autism, which has been challenging with traditional in-person methods. The findings could lead to targeted interventions that support language development in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions that enhance language skills in children with autism, potentially reducing the number of minimally verbal adults.
How similar studies have gone: Similar research has shown promise in using remote assessments to study cognitive development, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tenenbaum, Elena Jean — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Tenenbaum, Elena Jean
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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.