Novel Measure of Social Deficits in Children

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) feature impairments in social interaction and communication. Drug and behavioral treatments for ASD are undergoing rapid development, yet our diagnostic tools are not suitable for efficacy assessment. The Autism-Diagnosis Observational Schedule (ADOS) is a clinical interview with the child and the gold standard for diagnosis. However, this test is subjective, course grained and costly, precluding repeated tests of the same child to assess treatment efficacy and large-scale control assessments of typically developing (TD) children. For these reasons, the ADOS can impede imaging and genetic research. In light of these concerns, the Oregon Animation Test for Social Reciprocity (OATS) will be developed to evaluate distinct autistic behavioral phenotypes, including joint attention, empathy, imitation, and lack of narrative coherence. The main idea of OATS is that animated characters and social scenarios are presented on a computer screen while the responses of the child are recorded by video camera, microphone, and eye-tracking equipment. Animations are used to test each behavioral phenotype of autism. The long-term vision for OATS is to evaluate behavioral and physiological responses of autistic children, including heart rate variability, pupil dilation, and EEG. Our first objective is to use existing animations to build an OATS Prototype that discriminates autistic from normal children (Aim 1). From these results, and use of a defined library of still frame posed images, we will design our own animation platform to assess differences between autistic and normal children (Aim 2).

Detailed Description
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Please see the brief summary above.

Official Title
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Oregon Animation Test for Social Reciprocity (OATS)

Conditions
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Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 6-11 years of age with autism, ADHD, or typical Exclusion Criteria: IQ below 70.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 6 Years
Maximum Age: 11 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Autistic children ages 6-11<br>Autistic children ages 6-11 | |
| ADHD children ages 6-11<br>ADHD children ages 6-11 | |
| Typical children ages 6-11<br>Typical children ages 6-11 | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Eye gaze in response to animated social situations |  | 60 minutes | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Facial expressions in response to animated social situations | A child is shown an animation and facial expressions are coded for various emotions. | 60 minutes | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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autism, behavioral assessment, behavior, ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder