Recruiting

Testing a Play-Based Autism Therapy Model in Community Programs

Plain-English translation of NCT06005285 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated December 2025 · Translation generated June 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 whether the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)—a play-based, relationship-focused autism therapy—works as well in real community clinics as it has in research settings. ESDM combines playful learning with caregiver coaching and focuses on building social skills through everyday activities rather than structured drills. The study will compare this approach to standard autism therapy that many clinics currently use.

Many autism therapy clinics use older, highly structured teaching methods that may not match how young children naturally learn best. While this new treatment has shown promise in research studies, no one knows yet whether it works as well when used in actual community clinics with diverse families, or whether it's worth the cost and effort to switch from what clinics are already doing.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

your child is between ages 1 and 5 years old
your child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (or is at-risk for autism if under age 3)
your family speaks English or Spanish
your child is expected to stay in therapy for at least 7 months
your child receives services through a community autism clinic that accepts Medicaid or similar public funding

You likely don't qualify if…

your child has already received training in the Early Start Denver Model
your family does not speak English or Spanish
you plan to move or change clinics within the next 7 months
your child's clinic does not accept Medicaid or equivalent public funding

What participation looks like

If you join this study, your child will receive autism therapy at their community clinic using either the new play-based model or standard treatment—whichever your clinic is assigned to provide. Your family will be asked to participate in coaching sessions (at least monthly) where therapists teach you strategies to use during everyday activities at home. Researchers will collect information from your clinic staff and track your child's progress over the study period, which lasts several months.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 8, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

University of California, Davis MIND Institute, Sacramento, California