Rural Autistic Individuals - Supporting Expression

The investigators are researching how hand gestures and signs from American Sign Language influence language comprehension, and whether gestures/signs can support communication in children and adults with social and language impairments.

The investigators use non-invasive brain imaging methods (skin-contact only). One is EEG - electroencephalography - which records electrical brain activity on scale of milliseconds. Another is fNIRS (functional near infrared spectroscopy) which shines infrared light through scalp and measures blood flow to the brain areas which are more active during a task. The researchers employ a protocol that uses both neuroimaging methods at the same time. This involves wearing a cloth helmet, and having a lot of wires attached to the surface of the helmet. The EEG wires need gel to be put into hair to pick up the brain signal.

For psychological measurements, there are three rounds of tasks. One set of tasks about language and gestures happens as passive viewing of a computer screen with pictures of common objects and videos of a person gesturing and speaking. For example, see a picture for a dog, and hear "dog", and see gesture for "dog". There's no response required here.

Another set of tasks is in picture books to evaluate language comprehension and IQ for solving puzzles, if the participant has capacity to engage with the picture books, if not - that's optional.

Third task is 3-5 questionnaires for adults/caregivers about demographics, diagnoses (if any), experience with services, and autism, ADHD, and communication.

All together the study takes at least 2-3 hours of research time per participant, plus breaks. Both children and adults are welcome participate.

Inclusion criteria

• 1.1 Confirmed (preferably) or suspected diagnosis of ASD (autism spectrum disorder), or a receptive language impairment (i.e., difficulties with comprehension, Developmental Language Disorder), or both. Additional diagnoses, including ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder), are acceptable. Siblings and cousins of these individuals are also welcome.

OR 1.2 No diagnoses of ASD or DLD for unrelated control typically-developing participants.

• Normal hearing and normal vision (or corrected to normal with glasses or contacts).

• Ages 2+. 4. English as the dominant language of caregivers. 5. Caregivers who self-identify as living in a rural area. 6. The ability to verbally or physically respond is optional.

Exclusion criteria

• 1. Poor hearing. 2. Inborn or acquired brain damage.