Testing a Novel Speech Intervention in Minimally Verbal Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Summary

The goal of the Novel Language Intervention for minimally verbal children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is to test the efficacy of one experimental treatment (AMMT) compared to baseline assessments and compare the AMMT efficacy to a control intervention (SRT), both treatments were designed to facilitate speech output in minimally verbal 5.5 to 12.0 year olds. This study aims to compare the two interventions (one intonation-based; the other non-intonation-based) in a single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) that includes a comprehensive baseline assessment battery, 25 intensive 1-on-1 treatment sessions conducted 5 days/week, and a series of probe assessments administered at multiple timepoints pre-, during, and post-therapy.

Despite the complex needs of minimally verbal children with ASD and the wide variety of treatments available to address many of those needs, there is still a great need for effective methods that promote the development of speech sounds and facilitate the production of those sounds in this growing population. While the primary aim of this RCT is to investigate the effects of AMMTversus a control intervention (SRT) on minimally verbal children with ASD and compare the two interventions to determine whether one is more effective than the other, this study also aims to examine whether baseline cognitive skills, speech praxis, joint attention abilities and/or neural architecture can predict the effects of treatment with AMMT or SRT in minimally verbal children with ASD.

Conditions

• Autism

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Auditory-Motor Mapping Training

AMMT is a novel, intonation-based intervention that is accompanied by simultaneous tapping each spoken syllable on tuned drums, designed to help minimally verbal children between the ages of 5.5 and12.0 years develop and/or improve speech output. AMMT is administered 1-on-1 for 45 min./day, 5 days/week (25 sessions) by researchers trained in the method.

BEHAVIORAL

Speech-Repetition Therapy

SRT is a novel, non-intonation-based intervention designed to help minimally verbal children between the ages of 5.5 and 12 years develop and/or improve speech output. SRT is administered 1-on-1 for 45 min./day, 5 days/week (25 sessions) by researchers trained in this intervention. SRT serves as a control intervention to AMMT.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Boston University

  collaborator OTHER

• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Gottfried Schlaug, MD, PhD · Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

66 Months

Max Age

120 Months

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2014-11-30

Primary Completion

2019-09-30

Completion

2019-12-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations