Actively Recruiting
Project VOICES: Vocal Optimization in Children Elevating the Spectrum
Led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center · Updated on 2026-05-07
20
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
188 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Thirty percent of children with autism barely talk or do not talk at all despite years of intervention. This study aims to address this important and long-standing challenge by developing a novel intervention to increase the quantity and quality of vocalizations (i.e., sounds children make before words) and expressive language in young children with autism (aged 2 to 5 years) with minimal verbal skills. The intervention includes contingent responses to the child's vocalizations and vocal elicitation strategies. We also collect social validity information from parents about how they perceive the novel intervention.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Project VOICES: Vocal Optimization in Children Elevating the Spectrum
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
- Aged 2 to 5 years old
- Use no more than 20 words (spoken, signed, or via augmentative and alternative communication) per parent report
- Use fewer than 5 different words during a 15-minute communication sample
- Use at least one consonant (observed or reported)
- Primary language of English
- Caregiver has sufficient English skills to complete surveys
- Caregiver has a child enrolled in the study (one caregiver per child participant)
You will not qualify if you...
- Uncorrected visual or hearing impairment
- Evidence of severe motor impairment
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37232
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Jena McDaniel, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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