Shared Language in Young Autistic Children
What's the study about?
The purpose of this research study is to better understand how young children use language to communicate with their caregivers during play. We want to see how children with social communication challenges use language, and how this differs from children without social communication challenges. We are particularly interested in whether children are using language to share information, emotion, and experiences with their caregivers.
Who can participate?
English-speaking families with children between 24-54 months who use some language and have social communication challenges.
English-speaking families with children between 18-24 months who use some language and do not have social communication challenges.
What will participants be doing?
In-Person Session 1 – 1.5 to 2 hours
– First interactive evaluation with research staff: About 1 hour
– Child break/snack: About 15 mins
– Interactive communication evaluation with research staff: About 20 mins
– Caregiver questionnaire: About 5 mins
Virtual Session
Virtually (on Zoom or Teams video call)* – 1.5 hours
– Caregiver questionnaires: About 1.5 hours
* May also take place in-person if needed
In-Person Session 2 – 1.5 hours
– Caregiver-child play session: About 15 mins
– Child play session: About 10 mins
– Interactive evaluations and games with research staff: About 1 hour
Why is this important?
Participation in this study will help us learn more about how children with and without social communication challenges use language. This may help us develop better clinical tools for measuring language and social communication, especially for autistic children, in the future.