Milieu Teaching-AV (MT-AV Pilot)

Milieu Teaching-AV (MT-AV Pilot): A Pilot Study to Assess the Feasibility of an Adaptation of Milieu Teaching for Infant Siblings of Autistic Children That Encourages Looking to the Mouth

This project will look at whether a novel approach to language intervention that encourages looking to audiovisual speech cues for infants with autistic older siblings (Baby Sibs), who are highly likely be diagnosed with autism or developmental language disorder (DLD). This study will specifically look at (a) whether caregivers find this approach to be easy to implement in their homes, (b) whether they find this approach to be acceptable, and (c) whether caregivers use the taught strategies in interactions with their infants.

This project will test the feasibility and acceptability of a novel approach to language intervention based on Milieu Teaching (Milieu Teaching-AV) that encourages looking to audiovisual speech cues for infants with autistic older siblings (Sibs-autism), who are highly likely be diagnosed with autism or developmental language disorder (DLD). The main question[s] it aims to answer are:

1. Can caregivers be trained in Milieu Teaching-AV, such that they are using the trained strategies in play with their infant children?
2. Do caregivers find these procedures to be acceptable and feasible to use in their everyday life.

Inclusion Criteria:

• an older sibling with an autism diagnosis, confirmed by either (a) a detailed developmental interview and administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule or (b) by record review
• monolingual English-speaking household

Exclusion Criteria:

• adverse neurological history
• known genetic condition
• pre-term birth (gestation < 37 weeks)
• caregiver report of a diagnosed vision impairment or hearing loss