Teaching word learning strategies to autistic children
Retrieval-Based Word Learning in Autism Spectrum Disorder
This study tests whether teaching autistic children new words through re-studying or quizzing helps them remember and use those words better.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 64 (estimated) |
| Ages | 4 Years to 10 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Louisiana State University and A&M College Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) |
| Trial ID | NCT06466876 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates how different teaching methods affect word learning in children with autism spectrum disorder. It compares two approaches: re-studying words versus repeated quizzing on newly taught words. The goal is to determine which method enhances vocabulary retention and generalization in autistic children. The study involves children aged 4 to 8 years who have a confirmed diagnosis of autism and possess verbal communication skills.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are children aged 4 to 8 years with a confirmed diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder who can verbally communicate.
Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit from this study include those with severe communication impairments or those who do not meet the eligibility criteria.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly improve vocabulary acquisition and usage in autistic children, enhancing their communication skills.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with retrieval practice in word learning for children with developmental language disorders, suggesting potential for similar benefits in autistic children.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will participate in this study. The study will be 4- to 10-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.
Where this trial is running
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Louisiana State University — Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Eileen K Haebig, PhD — Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans
- Study coordinator: Eileen K Haebig, PhD
- Email: ehaebig1@lsu.edu
- Phone: 225-578-3933
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.