An Efficacy Trail of Enhanced Milieu Teaching Language Intervention Plus Joint Attention, Engagement, Regulation Intervention for Toddlers With Autism
Overview
- Phase
- N/A
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Sponsor
- Vanderbilt University
- Enrollment
- 120
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Number of spontaneous social communication attempts made as assessed by a 20 minute lanugage sample.
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 5 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
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).
Detailed Description
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.
Investigators
Ann Kaiser
Ann P Kaiser, PhD
Vanderbilt University
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Between 24 and 36 months of age
- •A diagnosis of ASD as confirmed by the ADOS-2 (module 1)
- •Signed informed consent
- •Parent willing to be trained
Exclusion Criteria
- •Other diagnosis or disability
- •Abnormal hearing and/or vision
- •Language other than English is the primary language spoken at home
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Number of spontaneous social communication attempts made as assessed by a 20 minute lanugage sample.
Time Frame: 6 months