#242: Early Markers of Autism Sibling Project at The New England Center For Children with Dr. Erin Michaud

Dr. Erin Michaud, SLP and BCBA-D with over 20 years of experience in communication development and ABA, joins the podcast to share the groundbreaking work of The Early Markers of Autism Project—a program changing the landscape of early autism identification and intervention.

This hands-on, in-person research and treatment study works with infants from both high-risk populations (siblings of children with autism, with a 20% recurrence rate) and low-risk populations. By tracking social interaction, shifting attention, joint attention, and social behaviors from infancy through age five, the project identifies and responds to early markers far earlier than the current AAP screening recommendation of 18 months.

The impact? Earlier diagnoses, earlier interventions, and fewer families waiting for services. Dr. Michaud shares how this project is creating validated assessment tools, expanding parent training, and building strong research to push for insurance coverage—bringing meaningful change for high-risk infants and their families.

#autism #speechtherapy

What’s Inside:

• What are the early markers of autism?
• What is the Autism Sibling Project?
• Supporting parents and our littlest learners.

Mentioned In This Episode:

Talking First Words — Coming Soon
​​Early Markers of Autism Project | The New England Center for Children
7 Investigates: Autism Intervention - Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News
NECC Infant Sibling Research Project 2023
Speech Membership - ABA Speech  
ABA Speech: Home