Handheld Technology for Speech Development in Students With Autism

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The proposed study will result in a software application compatible with the Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch (hereafter termed iOS devices) which addresses several aspects of prosodic deficits common in speakers with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and other communication disorders, using a developmentally appropriate, intuitive interface that requires little technical skill and which can be managed by educators and parents. The program will contain elements that aid in tracking and maintaining individual student progress records, and will be designed for use in the classroom, at home, and in other environments. This study's intended focus is on the feasibility and usability of the software application.

Official Title
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Handheld Technology for Speech Development in Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)

Conditions
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Autism Spectrum Disorders

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: iPad software


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: SLPs, in Connecticut Public Schools, who provide intervention to students with autism spectrum disorders. Students, ages 4 - 19, who attend school in Connecticut and demonstrate prosodic difficulties secondary to a diagnosis of ASD. Exclusion Criteria: Students with concommitant genetic disorders

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 4 Years
Maximum Age: 19 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: iPad software<br>Student participants will use specialized, iPad software under the direction of the SLP, 1 time a week over the course of 2 months. | Other: iPad software<br>* A specialized iPad application, entitled SpeechPrompts, has been developed to treat prosodic difficulties commonly seen in ASDs. SpeechPrompts provides the SLPs that work with students with ASDs an additional tool to treat prosody. The SpeechPrompts software offers visual support and biofeedback to change prosody. These two tools are not typically available for school-based SLPs.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Learning of software | Assessment of Outcome: Each speech-language pathologist (SLP) will complete a software training then take a post-training online assessment measuring software competency. | 3 months | 
| Usability of software | Assessment of Outcome: SLPs will complete satisfaction surveys and attend a focus group to obtain information regarding software usability. | 3 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Student engagement in treatment | Assessment of Outcome: SLPs will rate the student's engagement using a rating scale after each treatment session with the iPad and software. | 3 months | 
| Software effectiveness | Assessment of Outcome: SLPs will rate student participants' prosody before and after iPad treatment using a specialized rubric to measure changes in speech production. | 3 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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autism, prosody, speech, autism spectrum disorder