Melodic-based Communication Therapy for Promoting Spoken Language Development in Individuals With Nonverbal Autism
Condition: Nonverbal and Low Verbal Autism
MeSH terms: Autistic Disorder
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of Melodic Based Communication Therapy
      (M.B.C.T.) for increasing oral expressive skills in nonverbal children with autism spectrum
      disorders. MBCT has previously been shown to facilitate an improvement in expressive
      vocabulary, verbal imitative abilities, number of vocalizations, and social language
      development in nonverbal children with autism ages 5-7. However, earlier studies were small
      and did not examine the effects of M.B.C.T. on a younger and older population. This study
      will examine its effectiveness across a broader sample group. Additionally, this study will
      examine further predictors of success including but not limited to chronological age,
      developmental age, the frequency of repetitive/stereotypic behaviors, receptive language
      score, and social language score.
    

Detailed description: 
      The study will be a repeated measures design as assessments will be taken at baseline and on
      a weekly basis (baseline, weeks 1-4). All participants in the study will receive Melodic
      Based Communication Therapy (M.B.C.T.). General procedures involved in (M.B.C.T.) are as
      follows: 25 common first words are selected as the targets (e.g., apple, ball, car, dog, cat,
      eat, go, etc.). Pictures and objects will be used as stimulus items. The top 3-5 incentives
      as identified by parent survey will be given according to the therapies specific
      reinforcement schedule. All treatment and evaluation sessions will be videotaped for
      future/further analysis and verification purposes. For the purposes of the study design, the
      same 25 words will be used for all participants.

      4. Subjects will be male and female children diagnosed with autism.

      5. Subjects will be between 3 years 0 months and 10 years 11 months of age.

      6. In total, subject participation will last approximately 4 weeks.
    

Intervention name(s): Melodic-based Communication Therapy
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): General procedures involved in (M.B.C.T.) are as follows: 25 common first words are selected as the targets (e.g., apple, ball, car, dog, cat, eat, go, etc.). Pictures and objects will be used as stimulus items. The top 3-5 incentives as identified by parent survey will be given according to the therapies specific reinforcement schedule. All treatment and evaluation sessions will be videotaped for future/further analysis and verification purposes. For the purposes of the study design, the same 25 words will be used for all participants.
Participants will first listen to the target word set to a melodic tone and rhythm on a compact disc (CD). Clinicians will present the stimulus item (e.g., apple) prior to beginning the steps. Therapy will then progress from clapping and singing the melody to answering sung questions and finally to answering spoken questions with the target word
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Intervention model description: ABA design
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: MBCT; Nonverbal autism; low verbal autism