Autism Spectrum Disorders
Conditions
Keywords
autism, prosody, speech, autism spectrum disorder
Brief summary
The proposed study will result in a software application compatible with the Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch (hereafter termed iOS devices) which addresses several aspects of prosodic deficits common in speakers with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and other communication disorders, using a developmentally appropriate, intuitive interface that requires little technical skill and which can be managed by educators and parents. The program will contain elements that aid in tracking and maintaining individual student progress records, and will be designed for use in the classroom, at home, and in other environments. This study's intended focus is on the feasibility and usability of the software application.
Interventions
OTHERiPad software
A specialized iPad application, entitled SpeechPrompts, has been developed to treat prosodic difficulties commonly seen in ASDs. SpeechPrompts provides the SLPs that work with students with ASDs an additional tool to treat prosody. The SpeechPrompts software offers visual support and biofeedback to change prosody. These two tools are not typically available for school-based SLPs.
Sponsors
Handhold Adaptive
Yale University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
4 Years to 19 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* SLPs, in Connecticut Public Schools, who provide intervention to students with autism spectrum disorders. * Students, ages 4 - 19, who attend school in Connecticut and demonstrate prosodic difficulties secondary to a diagnosis of ASD.
Exclusion criteria
* Students with concommitant genetic disorders
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Learning of software | 3 months | Assessment of Outcome: Each speech-language pathologist (SLP) will complete a software training then take a post-training online assessment measuring software competency. |
| Usability of software | 3 months | Assessment of Outcome: SLPs will complete satisfaction surveys and attend a focus group to obtain information regarding software usability. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Student engagement in treatment | 3 months | Assessment of Outcome: SLPs will rate the student's engagement using a rating scale after each treatment session with the iPad and software. |
| Software effectiveness | 3 months | Assessment of Outcome: SLPs will rate student participants' prosody before and after iPad treatment using a specialized rubric to measure changes in speech production. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed