Learning Strategies for Autism

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Sudha Arunachalam, PhD

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: 1

179 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 speech in children with ASD (and, as a control, typically developing children). Specific Aim 3 (Experiment 3): Determine whether children with ASD can learn verbs and pronouns by overhearing. Most prior work on learning from overheard speech has focused on learning nouns that label objects. This experiment extends this work to study other kinds of words.

Eligibility Criteria

This study is for children aged 24 to 71 months who either have Autism Spectrum Disorder or are typically developing. They must have a minimum language and nonverbal cognition age of 24 months, speak English as their native language, and not be born prematurely (<36 weeks). Children with uncorrected hearing or vision issues, photosensitive epilepsy, or other cognitive-impacting conditions besides ASD (except ADHD) cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

My communication and understanding are at least at a 2-year-old level.

My child is between 2 and 5 years old, with or without autism.

Exclusion Criteria

I was born before 36 weeks of pregnancy.

I have hearing or vision problems that haven't been corrected.

You do not speak English as your first language.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Experimental Session

Children participate in sessions where they hear novel verbs and pronouns in contexts that are personally relevant or neutral

1 session

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for understanding and retention of word meanings after the experimental session

1-2 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Addressed Speech
• Overheard Speech

Trial Overview The trial investigates if children with ASD can learn verbs and pronouns from overheard conversations compared to typically developing children. It aims to understand how these kids process words that aren't just object labels when they're not directly involved in the conversation.

Participant Groups

Group I: Verbs Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Children hear a novel verb in an experimental context that is personally relevant to them (e.g., addressed, of interest) or neutral.

Group II: Pronouns Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Children hear a pronoun in an experimental context that is personally relevant to them (e.g., addressed, of interest) or neutral.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

New York University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

249

Recruited

229,000+

Emerson College

Collaborator

Trials

5

Recruited

960+

Emerson College

Collaborator

Trials

4

Recruited

950+