Retrieval-Based Word Learning in Autistic Children

Launched by LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE · Jun 14, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how children on the autism spectrum learn new words, specifically focusing on whether they learn better through repetition or quizzing. The researchers want to find out if teaching kids names of exotic animals and describing visible features of objects (like a bumpy chair) works better when they either repeat the words several times or when they are quizzed on the words after being taught. The goal is to see if these learning methods help children not only remember the words but also use them in different situations.

To participate, children need to be between 4 and 8 years old and already have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. They should be able to speak in simple sentences and primarily speak English. During the trial, children will learn new words using both teaching methods and will participate in short tests to see how well they remember and use the words after a week. The study is currently looking for participants, and it's important to note that children with certain neurological disorders or significant hearing loss will not be eligible. Overall, this research hopes to improve word learning strategies for autistic children.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will participate in this study. The study will be 4- to 8-years-old and will already have a community diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. The diagnosis will be confirmed confirmed using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - 2nd edition (ADOS-2; Lord et al., 2012).
• • Because the children will be completing an experimental word learning study that requires the child to verbally produce the newly taught words, children must have verbal communication skills (i.e., be able to speak in at least simple sentences spontaneously), which will be determined in initial correspondence with the child's parent or guardian.
• • Children's primary language spoken must be English.
• • All children will pass a hearing screening.
• • Additionally, all children will score above 75 on the Leiter-3 (Roid, Miller, \& Pomplun, 2013), a nonverbal cognitive assessment.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Because the word learning study involves the child needing to produce the taught words non-speaking autistic children and minimally speaking autistic children (i.e., is not able to produce at least simple sentences in spontaneous speech) will be excluded from the proposed studies.
• • If the child has a history of a neurological disorder such as cerebral palsy or a known genetic disorder that causes developmental delays/disorders
• • If the child has an un-corrected hearing loss.