Understanding Sensory Development in Young Children with Autism
Sensory Project in Infant/Toddler Siblings of Children with Autism (Project SPIS)
['FUNDING_R01'] · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11114022
This research explores how early sensory experiences in infants and toddlers who have a sibling with autism might connect to their language development.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NASHVILLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11114022 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Many children with autism face difficulties learning to speak, and current approaches don't fully explain why some struggle more than others. This project looks at whether differences in how very young children respond to sensory information, like sounds or touch, could affect their ability to interact with others and learn language. By understanding these early sensory patterns, we hope to find new ways to support language development in children who may be at risk for autism. The goal is to identify these connections early, even before a formal autism diagnosis is possible.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are infants and toddlers who have an older sibling diagnosed with autism.
Not a fit: Patients who are not infants or toddlers, or who do not have a sibling with autism, would likely not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new early interventions that focus on sensory responsiveness to improve language outcomes for children with autism.
How similar studies have performed: While the idea that early sensory development impacts language is intuitively appealing, direct evidence for this "cascading effects" theory in autism has been limited, making this a novel area of focus.
Where this research is happening
NASHVILLE, UNITED STATES
- VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER — NASHVILLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WOYNAROSKI, TIFFANY — VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- Study coordinator: WOYNAROSKI, TIFFANY
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.
Conditions: Autistic Disorder