Which autism therapy works best? new study aims to find out

NCT ID NCT07522190

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study compares two well-known early autism interventions, ESDM and PRT, to see which one helps young children with autism improve their communication skills more. Researchers will enroll 140 children aged 2 to 5 and randomly assign them to one of the two therapies for 24 weeks. The goal is to identify which children benefit most from each approach, potentially leading to more personalized treatment plans.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

behavioral intervention (Early Start Denver Model and Pivotal Response Treatment)

What this could lead to

If successful, this study could help doctors choose the best therapy for each child with autism, improving communication skills more effectively.

What could go wrong

This is an early-stage comparison study, not a treatment trial. Results may not apply to all children, and individual responses can vary widely.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for AUTISM are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

autism autism spectrum disorder Communication Language

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Stanford University

    Palo Alto, California, 94305-5719, United States

    Contact

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••