Evaluating the Impact of Telehealth-Based Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessments and Supports on Child and Caregiver Outcomes

The overall goal of this study is to evaluate telehealth and internet-based approaches to meet accessibility challenges for families with concerns about ASD in their infants. In this study, we will gather exploratory data related to the potential of two telehealth tools: 1) The Telehealth Evaluation of Development for Infants (TEDI); and 2) "Help is in Your Hands" (HIIYH), a set of video materials and information on interactive strategies parents can use to support their child's communication development. We will recruit families participating in an ongoing study using the TEDI (R21 HD100372, PI: Talbott) to evaluate infants' behavioral development. As families exit the parent TEDI study and enter the current study, we will ask parents to complete online questionnaires, and randomize them to either receive immediate access to additional online materials (HIIYH) for parents or no additional materials. After 12 weeks, parents will complete online questionnaires and all families will then be given access to the online materials. When children reach 30 months, we will collect additional questionnaires, complete a live telehealth behavioral session with toddlers and their caregivers, and conduct an exit interview with parents to gather feedback about their experience.