What is the mechanism of action of this treatment?

Common treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) such as the Social Communication Growth Charts (SCGC) and Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) focus on early intervention and parent involvement. SCGC educates parents on early social communication milestones through web-based technology, enabling them to support their child's development. NDBI combines developmental and behavioral strategies in natural settings, implemented by parents or clinicians, to improve social communication and adaptive behaviors. These treatments are crucial as they utilize the early developmental window, enhance parent-child interactions, and are feasible for community-based implementation, potentially leading to better long-term outcomes for children with ASD.

What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Behavioral and educational interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), such as the Social Communication Growth Charts (SCGC) and Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI), generally have minimal physical side effects. These interventions focus on improving social communication and adaptive behaviors through structured activities and parent or clinician guidance. Potential side effects may include temporary increases in frustration or anxiety in children as they adapt to new routines and expectations. Additionally, parents may experience stress or fatigue due to the demands of consistent implementation of these interventions. Overall, these treatments are considered safe and beneficial for children with ASD.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

The FDA has approved a few pharmacological treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), primarily focusing on managing symptoms such as irritability. Notably, risperidone and aripiprazole are two antipsychotic medications that have received FDA approval for treating irritability associated with ASD in children and adolescents. These medications help manage symptoms like aggression, self-injury, and severe tantrums. While there are no FDA-approved behavioral interventions like the Social Communication Growth Charts (SCGC) or Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI), these non-pharmacological approaches are widely studied and implemented to improve social communication and developmental outcomes in children with ASD.

What other types of research exist?

Promising alternatives to SCGC and NDBI for ASD treatment include the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and high-tech Speech Generating Devices (SGDs). Both have been shown to improve social communication behaviors in children with ASD. Additionally, the TEACCH program, which uses structured teaching and visual supports, has demonstrated benefits in cognitive and motor functions, as well as social adaptive functioning. These interventions are community-based and have shown positive outcomes in various studies.

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Behavioural Intervention

SCGC + Parent/Clinician Interventions for Autism

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Nathan Call, PhD

Research Sponsored by Emory University

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be younger than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 9, 12, 16, 21, and 30 months of age

Awards & highlights

Summary

This trial aims to teach parents how to help their infants develop social communication skills using online tools. It targets infants at risk of ASD to provide early intervention for better developmental outcomes. The treatment educates parents on developmental milestones and offers tailored interventions based on the child's progress.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for infants with a sibling in the Emory Autism Center of Excellence, showing early signs of autism. It's especially for those who didn't respond to initial interventions and are identified by specific autism screening tools.

What is being tested?

The study tests two approaches: web-based parent education on social communication (SCGC) versus usual care, followed by comparing a parent-implemented or clinician-implemented intervention if early signs of ASD persist.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this trial involves educational and behavioral interventions rather than medications, there are no typical drug side effects; however, participation may involve time commitment and emotional impact.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 9, 12, 16, 21, and 30 months of age

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~9, 12, 16, 21, and 30 months of age

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 9, 12, 16, 21, and 30 months of age for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Change in Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Score

Change in Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Score in Children Showing Signs of ASD

Change in Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales (CSBS) Score

+7 more

Trial Design

4Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Social Communication Growth Charts (SCGC)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention

Infants with a sibling who is diagnosed with ASD, who are randomized to receive the Social Communication Growth Charts (SCGC) intervention.

Group II: Parent-Implemented (P-I) ConditionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants showing early signs of ASD at 12 months of age, randomized to receive a parent-implemented (P-I) condition of a naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention (NDBI) based on the Early Social Interaction model.

Group III: Clinician-Implemented (C-I) ConditionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants showing early signs of ASD at 12 months of age, randomized to receive a clinician-implemented (C-I) condition NDBI based on a hybrid model.

Group IV: Usual careActive Control1 Intervention

Infants with a sibling who is diagnosed with ASD, who are randomized to receive usual care.

Treatment

First Studied

Drug Approval Stage

How many patients have taken this drug

Parent-Implemented (P-I) Condition

2018

N/A

~270

Clinician-Implemented (C-I) Condition

2018

N/A

~270

Social Communication Growth Charts (SCGC)

2018

N/A

~270

Do I qualify?Apply below to find out

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Common treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) such as the Social Communication Growth Charts (SCGC) and Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) focus on early intervention and parent involvement. SCGC educates parents on early social communication milestones through web-based technology, enabling them to support their child's development. NDBI combines developmental and behavioral strategies in natural settings, implemented by parents or clinicians, to improve social communication and adaptive behaviors. These treatments are crucial as they utilize the early developmental window, enhance parent-child interactions, and are feasible for community-based implementation, potentially leading to better long-term outcomes for children with ASD.

Novel treatments in autism spectrum disorder.What are we targeting when we treat autism spectrum disorder? A systematic review of 406 clinical trials.

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Who is running the clinical trial?

Emory UniversityLead Sponsor

1,679 Previous Clinical Trials

2,583,397 Total Patients Enrolled

23 Trials studying Autism Spectrum Disorder

21,318 Patients Enrolled for Autism Spectrum Disorder

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)NIH

2,869 Previous Clinical Trials

2,777,267 Total Patients Enrolled

83 Trials studying Autism Spectrum Disorder

40,328 Patients Enrolled for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Nathan Call, PhDPrincipal InvestigatorEmory University

4 Previous Clinical Trials

196 Total Patients Enrolled

4 Trials studying Autism Spectrum Disorder

196 Patients Enrolled for Autism Spectrum Disorder

~35 spots leftby Sep 2025

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