Autism Spectrum Disorder
Conditions
Keywords
Autism, Imitation
Brief summary
The goals of this project are to (a) incorporate empirical findings on imitation training and learning in autistic children into a comprehensive protocol for Applied Behavior Analysis practitioners designed to rapidly facilitate generalized imitation called Emergent Multi-Class Imitation Training (EMIT), and (b) collect pilot data on the efficacy of EMIT with a small sample of autistic children. EMIT will incorporate several features that are grounded in prior research including: (a) evidence-based procedures for establishing trained matching relations (a pre-requisite to generalized imitation), (b) concurrent training of different response types (e.g., motor imitation, object imitation, vocal imitation) to address restricted generalization, (c) multiple manipulative object imitation training, (d) evidence-based procedures for remediating slow acquisition, and (e) frequent tests for the emergence of generalized imitation. EMIT will be the first protocol designed for clinical use that reflects research findings on imitation learning spanning almost five decades.
Detailed description
Using findings from prior research, the investigators will design a manualized training protocol (EMIT) for establishing generalized imitation in autistic children that supervised behavior therapists can implement with a high degree of fidelity. The EMIT protocol will serve as a guide for behavior therapists to help them deliver high-quality, empirically derived imitation training to autistic children. The investigators will conduct a small pilot study to evaluate the effects of EMIT on the emergence of generalized imitation with young autistic children. Single-case experimental design will be used. A multiple baseline across participants design is a single-case design that is common in imitation research with this population. In short, the start of the intervention is stagged across participants to systematically assess the effects of the intervention on each participant's behavior. In this experiment, confirmation that EMIT is responsible for any observed effects will be obtained when changes in each participant's behavior (i.e., correct imitation of novel responses) occur when, and only when, the intervention is introduced.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALEmergent Multi-Class Imitation Training
Sessions will be conducted in a room with minimal distractions containing a table, two chairs, a timer, and 3-4 highly preferred (HP) items identified by preference assessments. A maximum of 10 sessions per week will be distributed across at least 3 days per week. Each session will take 15-20 min to conduct. Novel probe trials will be embedded throughout all sessions to continuously assess for the emergence of generalized imitation. When participants can consistently imitate novel probe responses, the intervention will conclude.
Sponsors
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Single case experimental designs will be used.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
12 Months to 6 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder * Age 5 or under * Maximum score of 40 on Motor Vocal Imitation Assessment * Demonstrates identity matching above chance levels
Exclusion criteria
* Diagnosis of intellectual disability * Diagnosis of certain conditions that impact motor function (e.g., cerebral palsy) * Visual impairment * Hearing impairment
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Probe performance | Approximately 3x per week throughout participant's EMIT intervention, approximately 3-6 months | Correct responding to probe trials (novel targets) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Vocal Imitation Assessment | Pre-Intervention and Post-Intervention (within 2 weeks of intervention completion) | Performance on Motor Vocal Imitation Assessment |
Countries
United States
Contacts
CONTACTMeghan A Deshais, Ph.D.
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMeghan A Deshais, Ph.D.
Rutgers University
Outcome results
None listed