NCT06690255 · Stanford University
Trial of an Online Spanish Pivotal Response Treatment Training in Autism Spectrum Disorder
(PRT-OS)
What this study is about
The goal of this clinical trial is to understand if an online course in Spanish can help Spanish-speaking parents use Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) to support language and social skills in young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study aims to reach families who may have trouble accessing autism services due to language, location, or cost barriers.
View original scientific description
The goal of this clinical trial is to understand if an online course in Spanish can help Spanish-speaking parents use Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) to support language and social skills in young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study aims to reach families who may have trouble accessing autism services due to language, location, or cost barriers. The main questions it hopes to answer are: * Can Spanish-speaking parents learn to effectively use PRT techniques to support their child's communication? * Does this training improve children's language and social interactions? Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of the online course for parents who participate in regular virtual check-ins and submit videos showing their practice with PRT. Participants in the study will: * Complete online lessons over 12 weeks that teach PRT methods, specifically designed for Spanish-speaking parents * Meet with a research team member every few weeks by phone or video to ask questions and receive feedback * Provide video recordings of interactions with their child to track progress * Complete brief surveys about their experience and child's communication abilities By focusing on Spanish-speaking families, this study aims to increase access to effective autism support and reduce gaps in care. Researchers hope the findings will help develop better resources for families facing similar barriers and improve language and social outcomes for children with autism.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
Pivotal Response Treatment
PRT will target functional communication abilities
Primary outcome measures
Change in Parent Fidelity of PRT Implementation from Baseline to Week 12
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12
Based on behavioral coding of parent-child interaction videos in the home
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Children aged 2 to 5 years, 11 months at the time of consent
- Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), confirmed through medical records and/or parent questionnaire
- Significant language delay, indicated by scores 2 standard deviations (SD) below the average for ages 2 and 3, or 3 SD below the average for ages 4 and 5 on the Vineland-3 Communication subscale or Expressive V-scale
- A Spanish-speaking parent or primary caregiver available to consistently participate in study activities and implement PRT in Spanish
- Stable on any psychotropic medications or biomedical interventions for at least 1 month before baseline, with no anticipated changes during the study
- Consistent treatment or intervention services (such as ABA, Floortime, or speech therapy) and stable school placement for at least 1 month before baseline, with no expected changes
- Limited to no more than 60 minutes of one-on-one speech therapy per week
Exclusion criteria
- Primary language of the child or parent is not Spanish
- Either the child or parent has a severe psychiatric disorder or an unstable medical condition
- Prior exposure to or adequate trial of Pivotal Response Treatment, resulting in the parent achieving fidelity in PRT implementation at baseline
- The child is currently receiving more than 15 hours of one-on-one Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy per week
Where
- Palo Alto, California
Collaborators
University of California, Santa Barbara
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
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Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
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Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jun 22, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations