RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07054866

Rural Autistic Individuals - Supporting Expression

Sponsor

Montana State University

Enrollment

50 participants

Start Date

Jul 1, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

ADHD Rural Health Children fNIRS EEG Typical Development Neuroimaging Autism Disorder Language Development Disorders Eye Tracking

Summary

This research study investigates how hand gestures can support language comprehension and communication skills of hearing speaking, non-speaking, and/or minimally verbal individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), who are especially disadvantaged by the lack of accessible services in their rural communities. Individuals with other cognitive profiles, including Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), ADHD, Dyslexia, and others are welcome too. The study uses methods of eye tracking and recording of brain activity to understand how hand gestures adapted from signs from American Sign Language, such as \[cry\], can promote successful understanding of words like "cry". The overarching goal is to help families effectively utilize gestures to support communication with their children.

Eligibility

Min Age: 2 Years

Inclusion Criteria4

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 Criteria1

\. Poor hearing. 2. Inborn or acquired brain damage.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALSpeech-Gesture combinations

this is a pretest, test, posttest evaluation of language comprehension with and without gestures, to see if gestures can improve language comprehension