Brain Scans and Response to Pivotal Response Treatment in Young Children With Autism
Tests a behavioral language program, Pivotal Response Treatment, in young children with autism.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Neuroimaging Predictors of Improvement to Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) in Young Children With Autism
Key facts
- Where
- Stanford, United StatesSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 2 and 4 years old?
Source: NCT03583684, who can take part
Where in United States
- Stanford UniversityStanford, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Stanford University
- Trial code
- NCT03583684
- Record updated
- 5 November 2026
- Original description
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a very heterogeneous disorder with limited empirically validated behavioral and biological interventions. The goal of this pilot investigation is to apply a biologically-based approach to identify predictors of treatment response in children with ASD who are receiving Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), an evidence-based behavioral intervention. Specifically, the investigators propose to identify neuroimaging biomarkers of treatment response to a PRT program (PRT-P) targeting language deficits in young children with ASD who will be randomized to either PRT-P or to a delayed treatment group (DTG).Read full original descriptionShow less
Neuroimaging Predictors of Improvement to Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) in Young Children With Autism
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a very heterogeneous disorder with limited empirically validated behavioral and biological interventions. The goal of this pilot investigation is to apply a biologically-based approach to identify predictors of treatment response in children with ASD who are receiving Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), an evidence-based behavioral intervention. Specifically, the investigators propose to identify neuroimaging biomarkers of treatment response to a PRT program (PRT-P) targeting language deficits in young children with ASD who will be randomized to either PRT-P or to a delayed treatment group (DTG).
Inclusion: Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Spectrum Disorder (ASD) based on clinical interview and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th edition (DSM-5) and confirmed using the Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised (ADI-R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and/or Brief Observation of Symptoms of Autism (BOSA) and/or Childhood Autism Rating Scale- Second Edition (CARS-2); Outpatients between 2.0 and 4.11 years of age of either gender,; Children of all cognitive levels will be included as long as they are able to participate in the testing procedures to the extent that valid standard scores can be obtained; Language delay as measured by the Preschool Language Scale, 5th Edition (PLS-5) [at least 1 standard deviation behind for children age 2 and 3 years; and 2 standard deviations behind for children age 4],; Stable psychotropic medication(s) or biomedical intervention(s) for at least 1 month prior to baseline measurements with no anticipated changes during study participation,; Stable treatment [Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Floortime, or other interventions], speech therapy, and school placement for at least 1 month prior to baseline measurements with no expected changes during study participation,; No more than 60 minutes of 1:1 speech therapy per week,; The child's exposure to the English language must be sufficient that administration of standardized tests in English is appropriate for measuring progress,; The availability of at least one parent who can consistently participate in the training sessions and related activities, and; Successful completion of baseline brain scan.
Exclusion: Receiving more than 15 hours of in home 1:1 Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) per week; Previous adequate Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) trial; Current or life-time diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorder (e.g., bipolar disorder),; Presence of active medical problem (e.g., unstable seizure disorder),; Genetic abnormality (e.g., Fragile X); Magnetic Resonance (MR) contraindication (e.g., the presence of ferrous metal), or.