Augmenting Language Interventions in ASD: A Translational Approach (ACE Project 3)

Following screening for eligibility and baseline, study visits will be scheduled three times per week, with 2 sessions on-site at UCLA and one at home for parent training (allowing flexibility, as needed); study physician visits will occur once weekly for 6 weeks, then biweekly. Screening procedures may be completed in one or two visits, and measures obtained in other UCLA clinical or research setting may be used if assessments were done within one month of screening. Major outcome assessments will occur at baseline (Week 0), mid-point (Week 6), and final week (Week 12) by study personnel blind to visit number and drug group assignment; minor assessments will occur weekly along with study physician assessments occurring weekly for side effect and compliance checks. EEG will occur at or prior to baseline and at Visit 36 (Wk12). Arrangements will be made to transfer participants to standard clinical care following visit 36. Six months after visit 36, families will be seen for final follow-up assessments of language usage, social communication, overall functioning, health and ongoing treatment.