Using telehealth to find infants at risk for autism in their first year
Official title: Leveraging Telehealth to Identify Infants at Elevated Likelihood for Autism in the First Year of life
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11093479 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help parents spot signs of autism in their babies earlier by using telehealth technology, making it easier for families, especially those in underserved areas, to get the support they need without long waits for a diagnosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $653,605 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD112362-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11093479 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants under 18 months of age who exhibit early signs of developmental concerns or autism traits.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 18 months or those without any developmental concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to improve the early identification of autism in infants by utilizing telehealth technology. It addresses the significant delays between when parents first notice concerns and when their children receive a formal diagnosis and access to services. By leveraging telehealth, the study seeks to reach a broader population of infants, especially those in underserved areas, and to develop reliable screening tools for infants under 18 months. Families will participate in behavioral assessments that are designed to be convenient and satisfactory, helping to identify developmental challenges early on.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention for infants at risk for autism, improving their developmental outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results using telehealth for developmental assessments, indicating that this approach could be effective in identifying autism risk.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Talbott, Meagan Ruth — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Talbott, Meagan Ruth
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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.