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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT02555241

Emergence of Generative Language

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Age range

4 year–6 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

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.

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.

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Mean Length of Utterances (MLU) during manding

    Time frame: 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.

  2. Acquisition of noun-verb and color-shape combinations during tacting

    Time frame: 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.

  3. Emergence of intraverbal responses

    Time frame: 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 outcomes

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

    Time frame: 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.

  2. Observe overall improvements in pragmatic language within social/play interactions with parents/caregivers, as measured on the Direct Observation of Spoken Language (DOSL).

    Time frame: 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.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Emory University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Instructional Programming to Promote the Emergence of Generative Language in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2016
First posted
Sep 21, 2015
Registry last updated
Dec 5, 2016

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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