Overview of Reed AI: Naturalistic Intervention Efficacy Study with AJ Drexel Autism Insititute
A pilot study evaluating a digitally mediated naturalistic language intervention for minimally speaking autistic children (approximately ages 4–12) using the Reed AI platform.
The intervention will consist of approximately 12 weeks of exposure to the Reed AI platform per participant. The overall study timeline is expected to extend beyond the intervention period to include participant recruitment, informed consent, baseline assessment (including the use of multiple baseline measures where appropriate), intervention delivery, post-intervention assessment, and study preparation activities, including Institutional Review Board (IRB) submission and approval. The anticipated total duration of the study is approximately 9–12 months.
The study design is expected to utilize a multiple-baseline single-case experimental design, with final methodological details to be determined collaboratively by the Parties. Outcome measures will focus on proximal indicators of treatment response, including engagement, receptive access to language, interactional flow, and caregiver feasibility and acceptability.
The scientific design, conduct, data collection, analysis, and interpretation of the study will be led by Drexel investigators, consistent with established academic research standards and best practices.
Our Ask
$76,404 to partner with A.J. Drexel Autism Institute to study the efficacy of Reed AI as a naturalistic, home-based support for growing language in minimally speaking children for anticipated study duration of 9–12 months.
Institution & Principal Investigator
Diana Robins, PhD
Institute Director, Professor
A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
Research Capital Needs & Timeline
$76,404 over 4 installments every 3 months beginning June 30th 2026
• Faculty oversight: 5% effort for 1 year for 2 faculty to lead and supervise the study
• 5% effort for 6m Dr. Wieckowski to oversee JERI ratings, contribute to manuscript preparation
• Study coordinator for 1 year, 30% effort
• JERI ratings, 20% effort for 3m
• Fidelity checklist, 1m develop, 1m evaluate (10% effort)
• APPL coding, 10% for 3m
• 15% Institutional support rate, contributing to the administrative and operational needs of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute.
• Study-Supplied iPad Tablets
• Misc supplies
Research Status & Prior Funding
• LOI secured.
• Pilot design and measures finalized.
• Awaiting IRB.
Research Team & Collaboration
A.J. Drexel Autism Institute:
Scientific leadership and protocol refinement; oversight of recruitment and consent; management of institutional approvals (including IRB as applicable); leadership of data collection, coding, analysis, and academic dissemination.
Reed AI:
Provision of the Reed AI platform for the intervention arm; onboarding and training materials; technical support; provision of agreed app-based engagement metrics; collaboration on operational feasibility.