Project VOICES: Vocal Optimization in Children Elevating the Spectrum

Launched by VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · Mar 7, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The clinical trial, called Project VOICES, is focused on helping young children with autism who have very limited speech. Despite many years of therapy, about 30% of these children still struggle to communicate. This study aims to create a new program that encourages them to make more sounds and express themselves better. The program will include specific responses to the sounds the children make and strategies to help them vocalize more. Parents will also share their thoughts on how well they feel this new approach is working.

To participate in this trial, children must be between 2 and 5 years old, diagnosed with autism, and have very few words they can use—no more than 20 total. They should also be able to make at least one consonant sound. The trial is not yet recruiting participants, but when it begins, one caregiver from each family will also be involved to provide feedback. This study is an important step toward developing effective ways to improve communication for children with autism.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Child participants
• • Inclusion criteria
• • Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
• • Aged 2 to 5 years old
• • Use no more than 20 words (spoken, signed, or via augmentative and alternative communication) per parent report
• • Use of \< 5 different words during a 15-min communication sample
• • Use of at least one consonant (observed or reported)
• • Primary language of English
• • Exclusion criteria
• • Uncorrected visual or hearing impairment
• • Evidence of severe motor impairment
• • Caregiver participants
• • • Inclusion criteria
• • Have a child enrolled in the study (One caregiver per child participant is enrolled.)
• • Sufficient English skills to complete surveys