Emergence of Generative Language

NCT02555241 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: IRB00080641
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 9
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

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.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Keywords

ASD, Children

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Mean Length of Utterances (MLU) during manding

  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.

  Baseline (Up to 24 Weeks), End of Standard Treatment (Up to 36 weeks)

• Acquisition of noun-verb and color-shape combinations during tacting

  The goal of intervention is mastery of 80% of evaluated noun-verb and color-shape targets.

  Baseline (Up to 24 Weeks), End of Standard Treatment (Up to 36 weeks)

• Emergence of intraverbal responses

  The goal of intervention is the mastery of 80% of evaluated intraverbal responses (2 for each target, 18 total).

  Baseline (Up to 24 Weeks), End of Standard Treatment (Up to 36 weeks)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Macarthur Bates-Communicative Development Inventory (CDI) Score

  Baseline (Up to 24 Weeks), End of Standard Treatment (Up to 36 weeks)

• 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)

Study Arms (3)

One Baseline Session

EXPERIMENTAL

Designated for participants #1 and #2. Participants complete 1 Baseline Session followed immediately by 12 weeks of standard treatment. Standard treatment will require the participant to attend clinic-based treatment sessions for 1 hour per day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks. Standard treatment will consist of 3 components: mand training, matrix training, and stimulus equivalence training.

Behavioral: Mand Training; Behavioral: Matrix; Behavioral: Stimulus Equivalence Training

Two Baseline Sessions

EXPERIMENTAL

Designated for participants #3 and #4. Participants complete a Baseline Session followed by a 12 week wait period before repeating a Baseline Session followed immediately by 12 weeks of standard treatment. Standard treatment will require the participant to attend clinic-based treatment sessions for 1 hour per day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks. Standard treatment will consist of 3 components: mand training, matrix training, and stimulus equivalence training.

Behavioral: Mand Training; Behavioral: Matrix; Behavioral: Stimulus Equivalence Training

Three Baseline Sessions

EXPERIMENTAL

Designated for participants #5 and #6. Participants complete a Baseline Session followed by two repetitions of the Baseline Session (each 12 weeks apart) and 12 weeks of standard treatment immediately following the third session. Standard treatment will require the participant to attend clinic-based treatment sessions for 1 hour per day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks. Standard treatment will consist of 3 components: mand training, matrix training, and stimulus equivalence training.

Behavioral: Mand Training; Behavioral: Matrix; Behavioral: Stimulus Equivalence Training

Interventions

Mand Training BEHAVIORAL

The mand training component of treatment will consist of behavioral principles designed to increase the participant's Mean Length of Utterances (MLU) when manding.

One Baseline Session; Three Baseline Sessions; Two Baseline Sessions

Matrix BEHAVIORAL

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.

One Baseline Session; Three Baseline Sessions; Two Baseline Sessions

Stimulus Equivalence Training BEHAVIORAL

The stimulus equivalence training component of treatment is designed to examine the emergence of untrained skills following the training of relational skills.

One Baseline Session; Three Baseline Sessions; Two Baseline Sessions

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 4 Years - 6 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• Children with significant problem behavior that interferes with structured intervention

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Emory University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Alice Shillingsburg

  Emory University Assistant Professor

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 17, 2015
• First Posted: September 21, 2015
• Study Start: September 1, 2015
• Primary Completion: November 1, 2016
• Study Completion: November 1, 2016
• Last Updated: December 5, 2016

Record last verified: 2016-12