Communication Intervention for Toddlers With Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder

The goal of this study is to conduct an efficacy trial to determine whether an early communication intervention which blends two evidence-based interventions, Enhanced Milieu Teaching (EMT) and Joint Attention, Symbolic Play and Regulation Intervention (JASPER), improves social communication in toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

This study tests the blended intervention (J-EMT) in a parent-plus-therapist-implementation model that has been demonstrated to be effective with other populations. The J-EMT communication intervention is tailored to the specific social communication characteristics of children with ASD and is delivered during a critical period in early communication development for these children. In this study, the investigators compare this blended intervention (J-EMT) to a business as usual (BAU) comparison group. Children assigned to the J-EMT group will receive a total of 48, 1-hour direct intervention sessions over six months that will include teaching their parents to implement J-EMT procedures across daily activities. The investigators will examine social communication and child vocalizations, expressive and receptive language, symbolic play, and symbol-infused joint engagement to determine whether J-EMT changes both a primary functional outcome and the underlying specific skills that contribute to effective social communication in children with ASD. Results from this study will indicate the efficacy of this variation of parent-plus-therapist-implemented EMT (i.e., J-EMT) specifically tailored to the characteristics of young children with ASD.

United States