None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
A total of 16 autistic children (3-8 years of age) who are nonverbal or minimally speaking will be recruited to participate in this project to evaluate Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP). LAMP is an AAC based therapeutic approach based on neurological and motor learning principles. A non-concurrent multiple baseline design with randomised baselines will be used to examine the effectiveness of LAMP delivered (1hr/week for 20 weeks) in a clinical setting. This research project has three key aims: 1. To evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of LAMP for autistic children with minimal verbal language, delivered in a clinical setting. 2. To explore child, family, and service characteristics associated with individual outcomes. 3. To examine the clinician maintenance of fidelity to the LAMP therapy approach after completing the LAMP training workshop and certification program.
Interventions
Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) is an Augmentative or Alternative Communication (AAC) system based therapeutic approach based on neurological and motor learning principles. The LAMP support program has two key elements:
1. LAMP AAC Device Access - The child is given a computerised speech generating device which the child can use to communicate. The device is similar to a tablet computer and produces words when the child presses buttons. LAMP AAC devices are readily available t
Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) is an Augmentative or Alternative Communication (AAC) system based therapeutic approach based on neurological and motor learning principles. The LAMP support program has two key elements: 1. LAMP AAC Device Access - The child is given a computerised speech generating device which the child can use to communicate. The device is similar to a tablet computer and produces words when the child presses buttons. LAMP AAC devices are readily available to purchase in the community and are among the most commonly recommended computerised AAC products recommended by speech pathologists to support the communication of nonverbal or minimally speaking individuals. LAMP AAC devices are commonly available in both an 8-inch and 10-inch display variations. 2. LAMP therapy sessions - The child and caregiver attends regular therapy sessions to help the child learn to use the device to communicate. The key components of the LAMP approach approach include five core components: (a) readiness to learn; (b) joint attention and shared focus; (c) natural consequence; (d) auditory signals; and (e) consistent and unique motor patterns (Halloran & Halloran, 2006). Within a 60-minute LAMP therapy session a LAMP therapist will spend time on each of the five core components according to the individual learning needs of the child. LAMP therapy sessions will be delivered by a speech pathologist who has undergone training in LAMP. Sessions will be one-on-one with the speech pathologist and the caregiver and child. Sessions will be delivered face-to-face. The exposure will comprise 20 x 1hr sessions, delivered as one session a week for 20 weeks. Adherence to LAMP will be assessed by the number of session a caregiver/child attends, and speech pathologist fidelity will be assessed using a standard LAMP fidelity assessment.
Sponsors
The Kids Research Institute Australia
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Other
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
3 Years to 8 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Children/caregivers will be offered participation in the study if: 1. Family is intending to remain in Western Australia for duration of their involvement in the study and able attend face-to-face therapy appoints located in Subiaco or Edgewater; 2. They have a child with a diagnosis of autism aged between 3-years and 8-years-0-months; 3. The family’s primary language is English and the caregiver has sufficient English language skills to consent to the study and participate in the LAMP intervention; 4. They have a child who uses less than 50 spontaneous novel verbally spoken words to communicate; 5. The family is able to attend the CliniKids clinic for assessment, baseline, intervention, and follow up sessions as per the schedule; 6. The family is willing for assessment and therapy sessions to be video recorded; 7. the child does not currently have any safeguarding concerns; 8. The child has not previously had LAMP therapy for a period of 3-months or greater; 9. The child does not currently use an AAC computerised device to communicate; 10. The child has not regularly used an AAC computerised device to communicate in the last 6-months.
Exclusion criteria
Children/caregivers will be excluded from the study if they: 1. The child has since been diagnosed with a significant condition, or hearing/vision impairment that will impact on their ability to complete the assessments or intervention.
Outcome results
None listed