Computer-based Social Skills Training for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Not Applicable

Completed

Brief Summary: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate changes in subject performance on social skills assessments after engaging in a gaze-controlled video game that leverages ABA principles of learning, in comparison to an alternative game. The secondary objectives of this study are to evaluate changes in subject gaze patterns during social skills assessments after engaging in the video game, including in comparison to an alternative game and to evaluate possible correlations in changes in social skills assessments with changes in subject game play performance.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Ages 4-14.
Meets diagnostic criteria for ASD.
Estimated intelligence standard score of at least 40 (can be substituted for a receptive language score such as PPVT or use of the Differential Ability Scales, 2nd Edition (DAS-II)).
Parent reports difficulty with at least one of two social skills (via modified questions from the Social Responsiveness Scale)
English as the child's primary/first language (key measures used in the study do not have alternate language versions).
Attains a score equal to or less than 75% correct on the Ekman 60 Faces Test
The parent who completes the questionnaires needs to be proficient in English.
Has successfully played a video game using a Microsoft Xbox game controller, Sony PlayStation game controller, or other comparable game controller.
Parental/guardian permission (informed consent) and if appropriate, child assent.
Wi-Fi internet connection at subject's home/school/therapy center/research organization available for use by study laptop computer.

Exclusion Criteria

History of seizures.
History of traumatic brain injury or other significant medical or neurological abnormality affecting motor or higher cortical functioning.
Certain visual, auditory, DSM 5, or conduct disorders (see below).
A visual disorder that cannot be corrected through the use of corrective lenses to a level of 20-40 in both eyes.
Use of corrective visual lenses that would significantly impede the valid collection of visual attention and gaze pattern data during dyadic interaction tasks.
Auditory impairment (that cannot be corrected by a hearing aid) that would significantly impede the valid collection of test measures.
Profound intellectual disability or sensory-motor difficulties that would preclude valid use of diagnostic instruments and/or use of a computer or mobile computing device.
A DSM 5 disorder or other psychiatric symptoms that would interfere with the participant's ability to participate in the study (e.g., active psychosis), per parent report.
History of one or more psychiatric hospitalizations.
Presence of significant symptoms of a conduct disorder.

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Lookware TM Control Module	Lookware TM Control Module	Lookware TM Control Module is a version of the Lookware TM computer-based video game that excludes the social skills related exercises.
Lookware TM	Lookware TM	Lookware TM computer-based video game that requires the subject to engage in social skills related exercises during simulated social interactions with game characters.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Ekman-60 Faces Test	6 Weeks	The Ekman-60 Faces Test is used to assesses emotion recognition using pictures. In this study, children were presented with 60 faces across 10 actors displaying six basic emotions (i.e., happiness, sadness, disgust, fear, surprise, and anger). Facial expressions are displayed on the computer for five seconds, after which the image disappears, and participants select from a list of emotions which best described the facial expression shown. Correct responses are summed to create a total score with a possible range from 0-60, and higher scores indicate better emotion recognition.
Social Responsiveness Scale	6 Weeks	The Social Responsiveness Scale is used to identify social impairment in children with autism spectrum disorder. The measure consists of five subscales: social motivation; social awareness; social cognition; social communication; and restricted interests and repetitive behavior, each with items scored on a scale from 1 to 4. A total score can be computed by summing scores across subscales, including, or excluding the restricted interests and repetitive behavior subscale. In this study, response options were re-coded from a scale of 1 to 4, to 0 to 3. Scores were then summed across four subscales, excluding the restrictive and repetitive behavior subscale. Possible scores ranged from 0 to 195, with higher scores meaning a better outcome.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Childhood Joint Attention Rating Scale	6 Weeks	The Childhood Joint Attention Rating Scale is used to assess joint attention in children with autism spectrum disorder. In this study, we used the asocial subscale, which consists of 14 items on a scale from 0 to 4. Scores were then summed, with a possible range from 0 to 56, and higher scores meant worse joint attention.

Locations (9): Nashoba Learning Group, Inc.
🇺🇸
Bedford, Massachusetts, United States
Els for Autism Foundation
🇺🇸
Jupiter, Florida, United States
The Pathway School
🇺🇸
Jeffersonville, Pennsylvania, United States
Y.A.L.E. School
🇺🇸
Cherry Hill, New Jersey, United States
Mary E. Keefe
🇺🇸
Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, United States
Milestones Behavioral Services
🇺🇸
Orange, Connecticut, United States
Partners in Learning, Inc.
🇺🇸
Clementon, New Jersey, United States
Connect Plus Therapy, Inc.
🇺🇸
Cherry Hill, New Jersey, United States
Positive Behavior Supports Corporation
🇺🇸
West Palm Beach, Florida, United States