More Than Words—$1.2 Million Grant Offers Hope for Children at Risk for Autism
By Anne-Marie Kent of The University Reporter (February 2007)
A new study conducted by UMass Boston psychology professor Alice Carter could produce findings that will help empower parents of young children who exhibit signs of autism spectrum disorders to boost their child's facility with language and overall lifelong functioning.
"Early intervention makes a huge difference," said Carter, who is lead investigator on the $1.2 million study undertaken with funding from the Autism Speaks foundation. The study will test the benefits of an early-intervention program called More Than Words that is designed for very young children who are at risk for or evidencing autism spectrum disorders.
"These children don't necessarily have autism, but they are showing signs that they could have autism," said Carter, who explained that a screening test will help determine which 15- to 21-month-olds will be eligible to participate.
The program builds on the premise that family factors, including parenting practices that enhance the child's linguistic competence, may be important predictors of long-term outcomes for children with a variety of disabilities. The investigators will be looking at whether or not this intervention strategy improves social communication, reduces behavior problems, and if parents feel less stress as a result of having tested specific strategies to help their ar-risk toddlers.
Parents participating in the study will be encouraged to capitalize on teachable moments in everyday life, explained Carter. For example, parents are encouraged to create predictable and repetitive simple routines that will help their child learn to communicate.
The approach gives parents more strategies and choices and helps them understand their children's behaviors, which can often seen very unpredictable. Many parents report feeling a loss of control in the face of their child's suspected diagnosis.
The parents participating will also receive peer support in the group-based program, as well as education and support from a speech pathologist.
The study will involve a total of 176 families in three states: Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Florida. The three sites offer variable community treatment to children at risk for autism spectrum disorders.
"Massachusetts provides really good intervention," said Carter. "Other states don't provide as comprehensive services. We'll be able to look at those differences. "That's an important design feature of the study."
Half of those participating will receive the intervention and half will not, but all will be compensated for their time and receive evaluations of their children.
Dr. Carter is collaborating with Dr. Susan Wilczynski at the May Institute, where the Boston site parenting groups will be held, Dr. Helen Tager-Flusberg from Boston University, Drs. Wendy Stone and Paul Yoder from Vanderbilt University, and Drs. Daniel Messinger and Peter Mundy from the University of Miami, Florida.
"Early intervention is not a cure, but it can make a tremendous difference in terms of social and language skills. How well a child is doing in terms of language is a strong predictor of lifelong functioning," said Carter, who noted that this project represents a critical development in her career as a researcher. This is the first project in which she is evaluating the benefits of a specific intervention approach.
"May Institute, one of the largest providers of autism services in the country, is very pleased to join forces with the University of Massachusetts, Vanderbilt University and the University of Miami," said Dennis Russo, Ph.D., ABPP, the Institute's Chief Clinical Officer. "This collaboration will advance critical research on evidence-based treatment approaches designed to support toddlers at risk for ASD. This scientific research is essential to ensuring that families are provided with the most effective early-intervention treatments."