Comparing Center-Based and Home-Based Autism Therapy in Young Children
Compares two behavioral therapy settings for social communication in young children with autism.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Trial of Center-Based vs. In-Home Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) in 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 5 years old?
Source: NCT04899544, who can take part
Where in United States
- Stanford University School of MedicineStanford, 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
- NCT04899544
- Record updated
- 5 November 2026
- Original description
The aim of this clinical trial is to compare the efficacy of a 16-week center-based Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT-C) versus home-based Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT-H) in targeting social communication deficits in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with significant language delay. The two groups will also be compared to a control group that consists of children who are receiving treatment as usual (TAU).Read full original descriptionShow less
Randomized Controlled Trial of Center-Based vs. In-Home Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) in Autism
The aim of this clinical trial is to compare the efficacy of a 16-week center-based Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT-C) versus home-based Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT-H) in targeting social communication deficits in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with significant language delay. The two groups will also be compared to a control group that consists of children who are receiving treatment as usual (TAU).
Inclusion: Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) based on Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised (ADI-R), Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) or Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition (CARS-2), Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th Edition (DSM-5), and expert clinical opinion; Boys and girls between 2.0 and 5.11 years; Ability 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): Standard score at least 1 standard deviation below average for expressive language ability for 2 and 3 year olds; 2 standard deviations for 4 year olds, and 3 standard deviations for 5 year olds; Stable treatment (e.g., Applied Behavior Analysis - ABA), speech therapy, school placement, psychotropic medication(s) or biomedical intervention(s) for at least 1 month prior to baseline measurements; No anticipated changes on treatment during study participation for Center-Based Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT-C) and In-Home Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT-H); No more than 60 minutes of individual 1:1 speech therapy per week; Availability of at least one parent or primary caregiver who can consistently participate in parent training and research measures.
Exclusion: Receiving ABA of 15 hours or more; Previous adequate Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) trial; Current or lifetime diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorder (e.g., bipolar disorder, etc.); Presence of active medical problem (e.g., unstable seizure disorder or heart disease); Participants living more than 30 miles from Stanford University; Child's primary language other than English.