Baby talk boosts word learning in autism? new study investigates
NCT ID NCT06649916
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Researchers at UT Dallas are studying whether 'parentese' — the sing-song, high-pitched speech parents often use with babies — helps autistic children learn new words. The study will involve 100 children aged 18 to 59 months, with and without an autism diagnosis. Children will watch videos or interact live with someone using either parentese or regular adult speech, and the team will track where they look to measure word learning.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward simple, natural ways for parents to support language learning in autistic children.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early observational study, not a treatment trial. Results may not apply to all autistic children, and the effect may be small or absent.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 100 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Oct 2024
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 59 months
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * children with or without a diagnosis of ASD between 18 and 59 months Exclusion Criteria: * hears another language more than 10% of time based on parent report * has uncorrected visual impairment or hearing impairment * has developmental disorders or medical conditions other than ASD that affect language or cognition (excepting psychiatric conditions often comorbid with ASD such as ADHD)
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Texas at Dallas
RECRUITINGRichardson, Texas, 75080, United States
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