New study aims to bring autism therapy to more kids through public system
NCT ID NCT05114538
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 08, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether training early intervention providers in Reciprocal Imitation Training can help children with autism improve imitation and communication skills. The program involves 440 children and their caregivers, with providers learning simple strategies during play. The goal is to make specialized autism therapy more accessible through the existing public early intervention system.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Reciprocal Imitation Training (a behavioral therapy)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could make evidence-based autism therapy more widely available through existing public early intervention systems, improving outcomes for many children.
- What could go wrong
- This is a behavioral intervention study, not a drug trial; results depend on provider training and caregiver engagement, and may not generalize to all settings or children.
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 440 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2021
- Expected to finish
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May 2027
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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16 to 33 months
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Child has a diagnosis of ASD or displays early social communication challenges * Child receives ≥ 1 weekly session with the participating provider (not co-treated with another provider) * Caregiver is present during EI sessions * Caregiver is the biological parent or custodial guardian * Caregiver is at least 18 years of age * Caregiver speaks either English or Spanish Exclusion Criteria \- the child has visual, hearing, or motor conditions that would compromise his/her ability to participate in RIT or assessments
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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
Locations
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Carol A Schubert
Seattle, Washington, 98195, United States
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Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, United States
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Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States
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University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, Massachusetts, 02125, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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