Can play therapy boost talking in kids with autism? new study tests measurement tools
NCT ID NCT04146428
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested JASPER, a play-based therapy for autism, in 84 toddlers aged 18 months to 5 years. Children were randomly assigned to receive JASPER from a clinician or their parent. The goal was to see if two new measurement tools (BOSCC and ELSA-T) could track changes in social communication and language. The study focused on improving how we measure progress, not on finding a cure.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
JASPER (a play-based behavioral therapy)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could provide better ways to measure social communication changes in young children with autism, helping future therapy trials.
What could go wrong
This is an early-stage study focused on measurement tools, not a treatment trial. The results may not apply to all children with autism.
Disclaimer
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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.
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.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
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Semel Institute
Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States
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UCLA
Los Angeles, California, 90095-1406, United States
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Weill Cornell Medical College/New York Presbyterian Hospital
White Plains, New York, 10605, United States