LEND Prospective Study of Language Regression Using the Language Environment Analysis (LENA) System

2011

Catching autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at its onset and beginning interventions may prevent some impairments from developing. Unfortunately, general practitioners often miss early red flags. Research on ASD onset has yielded inconsistent findings. Funds are requested to study the Language ENvironment Analysis (LENA) system as a tool for describing ASD onset. LENA uses a small device worn on the child to record child vocalizations and adult words spoken near the child. LENA automatically provides detailed information on language growth, and it picks up social behavior by detecting vocalizations spoken as child-adult interactions. Fifty children at-risk for ASD will be followed from 6 to 18 months. Children will wear LENA one day a month and complete evaluations of development and ASD symptoms every 6 months. Child vocalizations and adult-child interactions will be examined to see if children with ASD concerns at 18 months show different patterns than children with no concerns.

Performing Research or Evaluation

Other

Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers

Disadvantaged Circumstances, Specific Groups

State

N/A