The primary objective of this research study is to improve outcomes involving core social-communication symptoms for young children with ASD or social communication delays by increasing access to clinically validated early behavioral intervention through a telehealth parent coaching model. The investigators will test the hypothesis that telehealth-delivered Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention parent coaching (TC) is non-inferior to in-person coaching (IPC) for the treatment of core social-communication symptoms in toddlers with either a social communication delay or ASD.
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule(ADOS) criteria for mild-to- moderate concern or greater (for children between 18 and 30 months) or algorithm cut-offs for ASD or autism (31-33 months),
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5)( criteria for ASD)
ASD diagnosis by clinician (clinical best estimate) by study team clinical research experts
Scoring a T score of <35 on Expressive Language and/or Receptive Language subscales, Nonverbal developmental quotient of > 50 (Visual Reception and Fine Motor subscales averaged) AND Visual reception > 12 months
Having a primary language other than English
Family lives >40 miles from a Kennedy Krieger Institute-Center for Autism Services, Sciences, and Innovation (CASSI) site.
Child lives in foster care.
Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.
Lead sponsor
United States Department of Defense
Collaborator
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Collaborator