Autism Spectrum Disorder
Conditions
Keywords
ASD, Children
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of several applied behavior teaching procedures on the use of multi-word utterances by children with autism.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALMand Training
The mand training component of treatment will consist of behavioral principles designed to increase the participant's Mean Length of Utterances (MLU) when manding.
BEHAVIORALMatrix
The matrix training component of treatment will consist of behavioral principles designed to teach labeling of noun-verb and color-shape combinations using matrix training.
BEHAVIORALStimulus Equivalence Training
The stimulus equivalence training component of treatment is designed to examine the emergence of untrained skills following the training of relational skills.
Sponsors
Emory University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
4 Years to 6 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) * Provide a diagnostic report confirming a diagnosis of ASD and/or obtain a total raw score of 15 or greater on the Social Questionnaire Lifetime Form (SCQ) * Speaks primarily in one word utterances * English as their primary language * Follows simple 1-step instructions * Transportation/availability to attend 3, 1-hour sessions each week for 12 weeks
Exclusion criteria
* Children with significant problem behavior that interferes with structured intervention
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Mean Length of Utterances (MLU) during manding | Baseline (Up to 24 Weeks), End of Standard Treatment (Up to 36 weeks) | The mean length of utterances (MLU) during manding will be evaluated in a 10 minute probe. The goal of intervention is to increase of MLU to an average of 3 words per mand. |
| Acquisition of noun-verb and color-shape combinations during tacting | Baseline (Up to 24 Weeks), End of Standard Treatment (Up to 36 weeks) | The goal of intervention is mastery of 80% of evaluated noun-verb and color-shape targets. |
| Emergence of intraverbal responses | Baseline (Up to 24 Weeks), End of Standard Treatment (Up to 36 weeks) | The goal of intervention is the mastery of 80% of evaluated intraverbal responses (2 for each target, 18 total). |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Macarthur Bates-Communicative Development Inventory (CDI) Score | Baseline (Up to 24 Weeks), End of Standard Treatment (Up to 36 weeks) | The Macarthur Bates-Communicative Development Inventory (CDI) is completed by a parent/caregiver and evaluates current word use . A higher score indicates the use of more words. |
| Observe overall improvements in pragmatic language within social/play interactions with parents/caregivers, as measured on the Direct Observation of Spoken Language (DOSL). | Baseline (Up to 24 Weeks), End of Standard Treatment (Up to 36 weeks) | A goal of the intervention is to observe an increase in spontaneous mands, an increase in spontaneous tacts, as well as an increase in intraverbal responses. |
Outcome results
None listed