The Effect of Play on Social and Motor Skills of Children With ASD

Summary

In this study, the investigators will compare effects of two types of 8-weeklong interventions: a) multimodal or b) general movement to facilitate social communication and motor skills of school-age children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Recently, the investigators have identified cortical dysfunction patterns as markers of imitation/interpersonal synchrony difficulties in children with ASD using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. In this project, the investigators want to validate whether cortical markers can determine treatment responders and if such markers are sensitive to training-related changes. Following training, the investigators expect to see a variety of behavioral and neural changes in both groups. If the study aims are achieved, the investigators will validate the use of cortical markers as a treatment response measure. This research will build evidence for the use of various movement interventions for school-age children with ASD.

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Multimodal

Multimodal intervention will involve hello songs, warm up mainly involve sensory and stretching games, music time involves playing instruments, moving game involves use of music or songs to move the whole body, yoga involves themes/songs to perform yoga poses, and good bye involves a goodbye song and reflections about the session. In all movement conditions, trainers emphasize complex and multilimb coordination (asymmetrical and ipsi/contralateral movements) and balance.

BEHAVIORAL

General

The general exercise group will begin with hello games/set up and end with reflections and cleanup. Children will engage in limb and body warmup routines, specific strengthening exercises (single-joint/single-limb/symmetrical), moderate intensity endurance exercises involving various obstacle courses, and a cool down routine.

BEHAVIORAL

Standard of Care

The seated play group will also begin with hello/icebreaker games and end with goodbye and cleanup. In between, they will read books and review the story line and overall message and engage in fine-motor activities involving building supplies and art-craft.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institutes of Health (NIH)

  collaborator NIH

• National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)

  collaborator NIH

• University of Delaware

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Anjana N Bhat, PhD · University of Delaware

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

5 Years

Max Age

15 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2020-06-04

Primary Completion

2022-05-31

Completion

2022-05-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations