Gestures in Language Learning Study

This research study seeks to understand the role that gestures play in promoting language learning in children with autism between the ages of 3 and 6 years.

Eligibility Survey

If you are interested in participating in this study, we would like to ask you several short questions to see if you might be eligible. These questions will take about five minutes to complete.

Answer Eligibility Questions

Conditions to Participate

You may be eligible for this study if your child meets the following:

• They are 3-6 years of age.​
• They have a confirmed diagnosis of ASD.​
• They have moderate language delays.
• They cooperate with common educational instructions.

You may not be eligible for this study if your child has:

• Child’s known serious medical condition that would interfere with participation in the study.
• Presence of current serious behavioral or psychiatric condition in the child that would require another treatment (e.g., psychotic disorder, moderate or severe aggression or self-injury).
• Child is reportedly unable to name common objects and animals. Children who cannot name common objects and animals are likely to have severe language impairment and are not suitable for the current study.
• Child consistently uses multi-word phrases and sentences. Children speaking in phrases and sentences likely have mild language impairment and are not suitable for the current study.

More Details

This research is designed to learn more about gestures and language in children with autism and moderate language delays. All enrolled children will interact with an investigator during learning activities.

Participation in this study would require you to bring your child to MMI, the Central ACT clinic, or the North ACT clinic for assessment visits at the beginning, midpoint, and end of the study. You will also be asked to bring your child to study sessions 2-4 times each week, where they will complete learning activities with a researcher. These sessions will last a total of about 3 hours per week over a 4-week period.

This study is being conducted solely for research purposes, and your participation is strictly voluntary. If you are interested in taking part, we will ask you to sign a form to indicate that you consent to taking part in the study. If you consent to participate, you may withdraw from the study at any time. You will receive compensation for participation in each of the study visits.