Back to search results

Speech Treatment for Children with Autism and Apraxia

This study is exploring a speech treatment called "CAS Treatment for Minimally Verbal Children with Autism" for children who have both Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). CAS is a problem with planning the movements needed for speech. The researchers want to see if this specific treatment, which uses principles of motor learning in a play-based setting, can improve speech in children aged 5 to 18 years old who are minimally verbal. To join, children must have ASD and CAS, be able to repeat at least two syllables, and live in an English-speaking environment at least 50% of the time. The study will measure how many correct attempts at speech and correct sounds (phonemes) children make after 5 weeks of treatment. The study plans to enroll 20 participants, but its current status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 20 participants. It will identify children with both autism and Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) and then provide them with a specific speech treatment.
What's involved
Participants will receive 15 one-hour speech therapy sessions. These sessions will involve practicing specific words in a natural, play-based environment.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary outcomes (Attempts Correct and Phonemes Correct) are measured at 5 weeks after treatment begins.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05066178

Speech Treatment for Minimally Verbal Children With ASD and CAS

Recruiting
NAAges 5–18InterventionalTreatment
MGH Institute of Health Professions
~20 participants
Updated 2026-03-30 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:CAS Treatment for Minimally Verbal Children with Autism

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Attempts Correct
Measured over 5 weeks
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia
Autism Spectrum Disorder

Explore related trials

Autism Spectrum DisorderChildhood apraxia of speech

NCT05066178

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • MGH Institute of Health Professions

    Boston, Massachusettsstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Who to contact

Karen V Chenausky, Ph.D.
[email protected]
617-726-2405
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Want this trial checked against your situation?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Meets criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Able to correctly repeat at least 2 syllables
Meets criteria for Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Lives in an environment where child is exposed to English at least 50% of the time

Exclusion

Poorly controlled seizures
Factors such as blindness or deafness that contribute to minimally verbal status
Lives in an environment where English is not spoken at least 50% of the time
Child experiences behavioral challenges that preclude participation in the study

What this trial measures

  • Attempts Correct5 weeks

    Number or percent of target items that were produced correctly

  • Phonemes Correct5 weeks

    Number or percent of phonemes (vowels, consonants) in the target items that were produced correctly