Optimizing Intervention Options for Toddlers With Early Social Communication Delays
Improving social communication outcomes for toddler siblings of children with autism, who are at high risk for multiple language and communication deficits beyond autism, has important public health implications. The proposed study is a pilot sequential multiple random assignment trial of 44 high-risk siblings that examines the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of an adaptive intervention for social communication. Evaluating effective parent-mediated communication support strategies for toddlers at high-risk supports NIDCD's mission of behavioral research focused on disordered language development and the prevention of health impairments such as communication disorders.
• Has a biological sibling diagnosed on the autism spectrum
• Caregiver is willing to participate in study procedures
• No known hearing or vision loss
• Caregiver speaks enough English to participate in the intervention/assessments which are delivered in English.
• Caregiver uses English for at least half of the day with the toddler.