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Promoting Early Intervention Timing and Attention to Language (PETAL) Study

This study, called PETAL, is looking at how early intervention can help young children who have a higher chance of developing autism because they have an older sibling with autism. It's testing an intervention called JASPER Babble, which helps children with social communication and language skills. The study aims to find the best time to start this intervention (at 9, 12, or 15 months of age) to get the best language outcomes by the time a child is 24 months old. Researchers will measure language development using the Mullen Early Learning Scales (MSEL) at various ages. You can join if you have an infant between 6 and 8 months old who has an older sibling with autism, and your family income meets certain low-income guidelines. The study is currently unclear about its recruitment status.

Study design
This study plans to enroll about 140 infants aged 6-8 months who have an older sibling with autism. It uses a special design where all children start with a "MONITOR" intervention, and some are later randomly assigned to also receive a "COACH" intervention.
What's involved
Children will have assessments at 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months of age. The study involves a "MONITOR" intervention for all participants, and some will also receive a "COACH" intervention.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed until they are 24 months old, with language outcomes measured at that time.

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

NCT05853861

Promoting Early Intervention Timing and Attention to Language

Recruiting
NAAges 6–8InterventionalTreatment
University of California, Los Angeles
~140 participants
Updated 2026-03-31 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:JASPER Babble

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Mullen Early Learning Scales (MSEL)
Measured over child's 6,9,12,15,18 and 24 months of age

Conditions

MONITOR
COACH

Explore related trials

Autism Spectrum Disorder

NCT05853861

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 2 sites. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • University of Massachusetts Medical Center

    Worcester, Massachusettsstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • UCLA

    Los Angeles, Californiano site contact published

    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

Connie Kasari, PhD
[email protected]
310-825-8342
Email the study team

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

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

This study will recruit approximately 140 infants ages 6-8 months of age who are younger siblings of children with ASD.
Both males and females are eligible for study participation and will be recruited.
Family income is under the very low income described under the Department of Housing and Community DevelopmentDivision of Housing Policy Agreement for the city of Los Angeles.

Exclusion

Infants who have seizures and are not stable on anti-seizure medication
Infant is expected to have surgery over the next year
Infant has associated physical disorders, and/or co-morbid with other syndromes or diseases.
All of the children will be free of additional sensory or motor impairments (e.g., Visual or hearing impairment) and othergenetic syndromes (e.g., Down Syndrome).
In addition, infants who are premature or less than 34 weeks (gestational age \<34 weeks) will be excluded.

What this trial measures

  • Mullen Early Learning Scales (MSEL)child's 6,9,12,15,18 and 24 months of age

    The MSEL provides expressive language scale T-scores. We will compare the changes in T-scores throughout the different time points, expecting improvement throughout each time point.