BALTIMORE, April 20, 2026 – The Center for Autism Science, Services and Innovation (CASSI™) at Kennedy Krieger Institute is inviting parents nationwide to participate in a research study to test a new virtual developmental screening tool designed to identify autism and delays in children as young as 12 months old and reduce wait times for care.
Most children are not diagnosed with a developmental delay until after age 4, even though intervention is most effective earlier in life. Experts at Kennedy Krieger created the Social Communication, Interaction and Play Screener (SCIPS) to help families recognize concerns earlier and receive services sooner. If proven effective, researchers plan to implement the tool as a free, accessible screening option for families across the United States.
“The earlier you identify a developmental concern, the earlier you can get access to care for your child. It’s important to give parents strategies to enhance their child's development prior to age 3, when the brain is still rapidly developing,” said Dr. Rebecca Landa, executive director of CASSI.
The SCIPS is a one-hour screening process that parents complete on a computer or mobile device. It includes narrated videos that depict typical and atypical social and play behaviors. Parents answer a questionnaire comparing their child’s behavior to what they see in the videos and receive a report indicating whether their child shows markers of autism or language and communication delays.
Parents of children ages 12–36 months, with or without developmental concerns, may participate in the study. Participants will complete the screening and an online developmental assessment with a specialist. Researchers will evaluate the results to determine the readiness of the SCIPS for broader use.
“The study will allow us to see whether the tool works for families across the United States and, ultimately, make it available to child care providers, early intervention systems and pediatricians,” said Dr. Landa.
To register or learn more, visit our website.
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About Kennedy Krieger Institute:
Kennedy Krieger Institute, an internationally known, nonprofit organization located in the greater Baltimore/Washington, D.C., region, transforms the lives of nearly 30,000 individuals a year through inpatient and outpatient medical, behavioral health and wellness therapies; home and community services; school-based programs; training and education for professionals; and advocacy. Kennedy Krieger provides a wide range of services for children, adolescents and adults with diseases, disorders and injuries that impact the nervous system, ranging from mild to severe. The Institute is home to a team of investigators who contribute to the understanding of how disorders develop, while at the same time pioneering new interventions and methods of early diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Visit KennedyKrieger.org for more information about Kennedy Krieger.
