# Optimizing Intervention Options for Toddlers with Early Social Communication Delays

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN · 2021 · $155,215

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
High-risk siblings, the infant/toddler siblings of children with autism, are at increased risk for a multitude of
language, communication, and academic delays (Ozonoff, Young, Landa, 2015). Although 20% of high-risk
siblings will develop autism, those who do not exhibit elevated scores on autism diagnostic assessment, delayed
social communication, delayed language, and impairments in social skills even at an early age (Stone, McMahon,
Yoder, & Walden, 2007). For high-risk siblings, little is known about when to intervene, how to adapt as concerns
develop, and for whom intervention is most beneficial. Thus, the goal of this pilot study is to examine the
feasibility, acceptability, and initial effectiveness of an adaptive parent-mediated intervention focused on social
communication for high-risk toddlers. We propose an adaptive intervention model that provides intervention
options to respond to the ever-changing concern about high-risk toddlers’ development. The objective of the
proposed study is to examine the acceptability and feasibility of ongoing monitoring and adaptive intervention
decisions for this high-risk sibling population. The specific aims include (1) to examine the effects of the adaptive
intervention on parent and family outcomes (2) to evaluate and refine the intervention components and study
procedures, and (3) to explore the effects of the adaptive intervention on child outcomes. Taken together, these
aims provide a foundation to better understand the best adaptive treatment model for high-risk toddlers in
response to evolving concern. The proposed pilot study will enroll 44 high-risk sibling toddlers who will be
randomly assigned to one of two initial conditions: monthly monitoring or parent-mediated social communication
intervention. Following the initial phase of intervention, toddlers will be assessed for social communication
development. Those who are rated in the area of concern for social communication development will be re-
randomized to receive one of two additional conditions: parent-mediated or parent-plus-clinician social
communication intervention. Those who score as low-concern will receive increased monitoring for the remainder
of the intervention period. Assessments will occur prior to intervention, following intervention, and 4-months
following the end of intervention. The proposed research is significant because it will be the first examination of
the impact of an adaptive intervention on parent and child outcomes for high-risk siblings. Understanding the
effects of adaptive intervention decisions on parent implementation of social communication strategies and child
social communication outcomes is a key step in optimizing interventions for this high-risk sibling group. This
initial pilot study will demonstrate the feasibility, acceptability, and initial effects necessary to support a full-scale
clinical trial in a future R01 application.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10292319
- **Project number:** 1R21DC018908-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
- **Principal Investigator:** Lauren Hazledine Hampton
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $155,215
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-08-01 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10292319

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10292319, Optimizing Intervention Options for Toddlers with Early Social Communication Delays (1R21DC018908-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10292319. Licensed CC0.

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