Recruiting

Home versus clinic therapy for autism language development

Plain-English translation of NCT04899544 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated June 2026 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), a therapy designed to help young children with autism improve their communication and social skills. Researchers want to know whether this treatment works better when delivered at a therapy center or in your home. Both versions involve 12 hours per week of therapy over 4 months, plus parent training to help you support your child's progress.

Many children with autism have difficulty with language and communication, and families need to know the best way to deliver therapy. This study will help determine whether receiving treatment in a clinic or at home leads to better outcomes for children.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

your child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
your child is between 2 and almost 6 years old
your child has a language delay as measured by standardized testing
your child's current treatments (such as speech therapy or other interventions) have been stable for at least one month
at least one parent or primary caregiver can participate in parent training sessions throughout the study

You likely don't qualify if…

your child currently receives 15 or more hours per week of applied behavior analysis (ABA)
your child has a severe psychiatric disorder (such as bipolar disorder)
your child has an unstable medical condition (such as uncontrolled seizures or heart disease)
your child has already received adequate Pivotal Response Treatment
your family lives more than 30 miles from Stanford University

What participation looks like

If your child is assigned to the center-based group, you will bring them to Stanford University for 12 hours per week of therapy over 16 weeks, with one hour per week dedicated to training you to support the therapy at home. If assigned to the home-based group, a therapist will come to your home for 12 hours per week of the same therapy, also including one hour of parent training. A control group will receive their usual care during the study period and will be offered the therapy afterward.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 3, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California