| Approved on: | 2026-10-23 |
| Brief purpose of the study: | The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a telehealth training program, Care2Talk. Care2Talk will train caregivers to implement Enhanced Milieu Teaching (EMT) to improve language and communication for their MV children with autism. |
| Brief summary of what participants will be asked to do: | Caregivers will receive a telehealth training program, Care2Talk. Specifically, caregivers will be coached to implement an early intervention, enhanced milieu teaching (EMT), with their child with autism. Caregivers will be asked to play with their child as they normally would during baseline. When in the intervention phase, caregivers will receive individualized coaching and be asked to complete instructional modules on EMT strategies. During each phase, caregivers will be asked to record two 10-minute sessions playing or practicing EMT strategies with their autistic child each week and attend one to two 20-minute coaching sessions each week. |
| Basic eligibility criteria: | Inclusion criteria for children are (a) a clinical or school autism diagnosis, (b) between the ages of three and five years old, and (c) minimally verbal confirmed using the Low Verbal Investigatory Survey (LVIS). Inclusion criteria for caregivers are (a) family member of the child, (b) age 18 or older, (c) provide care for a child who qualifies for the study, (d) proficiency to speak and comprehend English per self-report, and (e) has access to high-speed internet and a recording device (e.g., smart phone, tablet, laptop). Caregivers who have previously received training on EMT strategies will be excluded. Potential caregiver-child dyads will be interviewed to confirm eligibility. |
| Study contact for more information: | The primary investigator, Jing Tong Ong, can be contacted via email at jingtong.ong@missouri.edu. |
| IRB Number: | 2136696 MU |
