Speech Exposure for Autism

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Sudha Arunachalam, Ph.D.

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: New York University

Disqualifiers: Non-English, Premature birth, Hearing/vision impairments, Developmental disorders, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

342 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this research is to explore abilities to learn word meanings from overheard conversations in children with ASD (and, as a control, typically developing children). Specific Aim 1 (Experiment 1): Subaim 1a: Identify child characteristics associated with learning from overhearing. In a prior study, the investigators found that 13 children with ASD were able to learn the meanings of novel words that they heard used in a conversation involving two adults. In the current study, the investigators aim to study a larger sample to identify what child characteristics are associated with good learning in an overhearing situation as compared to a situation in which the child is directly taught the new word. Subaim 1b: Assess retention and generalization of words learned from overhearing. The investigators will re-test children on their knowledge of the word meanings after a 10-minute delay to see if they both retain the word meanings and can generalize the new words to new situations.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for children aged 18 to 71 months, with or without Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They must be native English speakers and not have been born prematurely. Children with uncorrected hearing or vision issues, photosensitive epileptic seizures, or other developmental disorders affecting language/cognition are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

My child is between 18 to 71 months old, with or without ASD.

Exclusion Criteria

You have medical conditions or developmental disorders, besides Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), that affect your ability to communicate or think. This does not include psychiatric conditions that commonly occur with ASD, such as ADHD.

You do not speak English as your first language.

I was born before 36 weeks of pregnancy.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Experiment 1

Children participate in interactions to learn word meanings from overhearing and direct teaching

1 session

1 visit (in-person)

Retention and Generalization Assessment

Children are re-tested on their knowledge of word meanings after a 10-minute delay to assess retention and generalization

10 minutes

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any additional learning outcomes or observations

2 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Addressed Speech
• Overheard Speech

Trial Overview The study examines how well children with ASD can learn new words from conversations they overhear compared to being directly taught. It will also check if these learned words are remembered after a short time and can be used in different situations.

Participant Groups

Group I: Overheard Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Children observe while an experimenter uses the word to be learned in an interaction with another experimenter.

Group II: Addressed Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Children participate in an interaction with an experimenter who uses the word to be learned.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

New York University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

249

Recruited

229,000+

Emerson College

Collaborator

Trials

4

Recruited

950+

Emerson College

Collaborator

Trials

5

Recruited

960+