Gaze Modification Strategies for Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Neurology, Psychiatric, Psychiatric, Autism |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology, Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | Any |
| Updated: | 6/16/2016 |
| Start Date: | June 2015 |
| End Date: | December 2016 |
| Contact: | Carla Wall, B.A. |
| Email: | carla.wall@yale.edu |
| Phone: | (203) 737-1121 |
This project seeks to understand how the gaze behavior of infants and children with or at
high risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be manipulated in the contexts of dynamic
social and non-social scenes. The study explores not only the methods which may be most
effective in aligning and teaching normative patterns of scene exploration, but also seeks
to establish what behavioral characteristics may be most predictive of atypical scanning and
atypical learning.
high risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be manipulated in the contexts of dynamic
social and non-social scenes. The study explores not only the methods which may be most
effective in aligning and teaching normative patterns of scene exploration, but also seeks
to establish what behavioral characteristics may be most predictive of atypical scanning and
atypical learning.
This study initiates a highly novel line of research which uses adaptive, gaze-contingent,
eye-tracking technology to help infants and children with or at high risk for ASD learn to
direct their attention to people and their actions in a more typical fashion. This study
will begin with a Normative Collection phase, and will conclude with a Gaze-Shaping phase.
In the Normative Collection phase, the investigators will examine the gaze behavior of a
group of typically developing infants and children with typical development (TD), in order
to establish a normative gaze pattern. In the Gaze-Shaping phase, within the same videos
shown in the Normative Collection phase, the investigators will highlight selectively
targeted people, objects, and activities, in an attempt to shape participants' viewing
patterns to match the normative gaze pattern.
Manual coding of live-action interaction probes will provide an additional evaluative
measure, allowing the investigators to track real-world (live-action) correlates alongside
video-eye-tracking behaviors. In addition, live-action probes may allow the investigators to
check for generalization to live interaction with another person (as opposed to gaze
behavior when watching videos). In live-action probes, one or two clinical research staff
member(s) will interact with each participant (or with each other in front of the
participant), in a manner analogous to the actions performed in the training videos.
eye-tracking technology to help infants and children with or at high risk for ASD learn to
direct their attention to people and their actions in a more typical fashion. This study
will begin with a Normative Collection phase, and will conclude with a Gaze-Shaping phase.
In the Normative Collection phase, the investigators will examine the gaze behavior of a
group of typically developing infants and children with typical development (TD), in order
to establish a normative gaze pattern. In the Gaze-Shaping phase, within the same videos
shown in the Normative Collection phase, the investigators will highlight selectively
targeted people, objects, and activities, in an attempt to shape participants' viewing
patterns to match the normative gaze pattern.
Manual coding of live-action interaction probes will provide an additional evaluative
measure, allowing the investigators to track real-world (live-action) correlates alongside
video-eye-tracking behaviors. In addition, live-action probes may allow the investigators to
check for generalization to live interaction with another person (as opposed to gaze
behavior when watching videos). In live-action probes, one or two clinical research staff
member(s) will interact with each participant (or with each other in front of the
participant), in a manner analogous to the actions performed in the training videos.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Between the ages of 18 and 60 months
- Fulfill criteria for autistic disorder or PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder-
Not Otherwise Specified) on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - Module 1
- A diagnosis of autism or PDD-NOS by experienced clinicians
Exclusion Criteria:
- Gestational age below 32 weeks
- Suspected or diagnosed hearing loss or visual impairment
- History of head trauma with loss of consciousness
- Non-febrile seizure disorders
- Diagnosed neurological abnormality significantly impacting on visual or auditory
acuity.
We found this trial at
1
site
New Haven, Connecticut 06520
Principal Investigator: Frederick Shic, Ph.D
Phone: 203-764-5993
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