One of the hallmarks of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the diminished ability to communicate effectively—particularly in the use and understanding of language. The NIDCD supports research that looks at speech and language abilities and differences in individuals with ASD. The NIDCD also supports research efforts to improve the early diagnosis of ASD and to develop effective treatments to address the communication challenges faced by many with ASD. The NIDCD participates in and supports the NIH’s Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) Program, a trans-NIH initiative that supports large-scale multidisciplinary studies on ASD.
Funding Opportunities and Notices from grants.nih.gov
- Funding opportunities and notices involving the NIDCD and autism (the NIDCD may be the "issuing" agency or a "participating" agency)
Research
- NIDCD-funded autism-related research (see NIH’s RePORTER and enter "autism" in the Text Search field and "NIDCD" in the Agency/Institute/Center field)
- 2023 NIDCD-sponsored workshop summary: Minimally Verbal/Non-Speaking Individuals With Autism: Research Directions for Interventions to Promote Language and Communication
- 2021 Report to Congress on the Health and Well-Being of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC)
- 2020 Summary of Advances in Autism Spectrum Disorder Research, Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC)
Strategic Planning
- 2018-2019 Update: Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder
- 2016-2017 Update: Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder
NIDCD and Grantee News
- Institute for Basic Research study finds a routine hearing test may help diagnose autism in newborns 3/30/2023
- Toddlers’ attention to ‘motherese’ speech may be used to diagnose autism 2/8/2023
- NIH awards $100 million for Autism Centers of Excellence program 9/6/2022
- Using social cues to adjust conversational behavior may be challenging for autistic children and teens 3/15/2022
- When Mom talks, are infants with ASD listening? 1/3/2022
- Research shows crucial intervention period for infants with autism spectrum disorder 11/30/2021
- Hearing test may detect autism in newborns 11/12/2020
- In some children with autism, "social" and "visual" neural circuits don’t quite connect 12/17/2019
- NIH awards funding for early autism screening 11/6/2019
- Brain response to mom’s voice differs in kids with autism 2/26/2019
- Diagnosing autism in infants? EEG algorithms make accurate predictions 5/3/2018
- NIH awards nearly $100 million for Autism Centers of Excellence program 9/7/2017
Fact Sheet
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