Improving flexible thinking and learning for individuals with autism
Intervention-induced plasticity of flexibility and learning mechanisms in ASD
This project explores how interventions can help children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder better use what they learn in new situations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11175401 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many individuals with autism find it hard to apply skills learned in one setting to different real-world situations. This project aims to understand why this happens by looking at how learning and flexible thinking are connected in the brain. Researchers will use brain imaging and behavioral tests to see if teaching more flexible behaviors can change how individuals with autism learn. The goal is to discover how the brain generates new ideas versus remembering specific examples, which could lead to better ways to help individuals generalize their skills.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future related studies would likely be children and young adults, aged 0-20 years, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Not a fit: Patients without autism spectrum disorder or those outside the target age range may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new interventions that significantly improve real-world outcomes and the ability to transfer learned knowledge for individuals with autism.
How similar studies have performed: While the challenge of generalization in ASD is known, this specific connection between learning and flexibility has received little attention, suggesting a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Washington, United States
- Children's Research Institute — Washington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kenworthy, Lauren — Children's Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Kenworthy, Lauren
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.