Autism, Autistic Disorder
Conditions
Keywords
Autism, Developmental Delay Disorders
Brief summary
This study will identify factors that distinguish children with autism from children with developmental delay and those with normal development and study the efficacy of intensive behavioral therapy in children with autism.
Detailed description
Children with autism often suffer from social, educational, and functional problems. By understanding the social, linguistic, psychological, and physiological differences that distinguish between autistic children, developmentally delayed children, and children with typical development, researchers may be able to recognize autism early in life so that children with autism can be helped as early as possible and their long-term outcome can be improved. Children in this study will be enrolled for 2 years. They will receive annual evaluations throughout the two-year period. They will undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and will complete various activities to determine brain functioning. In addition, children with autism will take part in intensive behavioral therapy at least 4 hours every day for the duration of the study. Communication and social behavior scales, an early development interview, observations of parent/child interaction, and neuropsychological, cognitive, and adaptive behavioral measures will be used to assess participants.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALIntensive behavioral therapy
Participants will undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and will complete various activities to determine brain functioning. In addition, children with autism will take part in intensive behavioral therapy at least 4 hours every day for the duration of the study.
Sponsors
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
University of Washington
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Months to 30 Months
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
for Autistic Participants: * Diagnosis of autism Inclusion Criteria for Developmentally Delayed Participants: * Exhibiting current delays in development Inclusion Criteria for Participants with Normal Development: * Exhibiting normal development Inclusion Criteria for All Participants: * Overall good health
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Communication and social behavior scales; an early development interview; observations of parent/child interaction; and neuropsychological, cognitive, and adaptive behavioral measures | Measured at Year 2 |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed