Improving Working Memory of Children With Autism Through Instruction on Rehearsal Strategy and Reinforcement
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 终止
- 入组人数
- 15
- 试验地点
- 3
- 主要终点
- Change in percent recall
研究概览
简要总结
Existing findings suggest that challenges in working memory (WM) of children with autism are common (Habib, Pollick, Melville, & 2019). The WM malfunction can last across the lifespan and individuals with autism exhibit large WM impairments in both phonological and visuospatial domains (Habib, Harris, Pollick & Melville, 2019). Despite the well-documented effects of WM impairments, little research has been dedicated to strategies for improving the working memory of children with autism.
Previous research found that individuals who verbally repeat a previously presented stimulus (i.e., rehearsal) tended to perform better than those who do not rehearse (Bebko, Rhee, Ncube, & Dahary, 2017; Joseph, Steele, Meyer, & Tager-Flusberg, 2005). In addition, among studies that investigated WM in children with autism, Baltruschat et al (2011a; 2011; 2012) conduct studies using positive reinforcement. Their results reveal that the positive reinforcement appeared to have produced better working memory.
The present study intends to investigate if training children with autism to use rehearsal strategy would improve their working memory. In addition, the investigators are also interested to see if reinforcement is a critical component that may provide additive effects beyond the effects of rehearsal. The investigators intend to randomly assign children to four different conditions: control, rehearsal, reinforcement, and rehearsal + reinforcement conditions. The results of this study should provide empirical evidence for practitioners to improve WM in children with autism.
详细描述
Prescreening:
The purpose of prescreening is to determine the IQ and functioning level of the participants. The investigators will administrate IQ tests in which the participants will complete a series of tasks such as pointing to images/objects, placing objects, and answer questions upon instruction. The investigators will interview parents regarding their children's levels of functioning as well as their information (e.g., level of education). Additionally, the investigators will also assess the number of digits (digit span) and delay for each participant as the participants may function at different levels. Members of the research team will test a combination of different digit span and delays for each participant to assess how many digits in a sequence (i.e., digit span) they can remember and how long (i.e., delay) they can remember the digit sequence.
Pretest:
A pretest trial starts when a teacher asks a participant to repeat a sequence of numbers and a sequence of nonsense words. The teacher will say one number or one nonsense word at a time, wait for a predetermined interval, and ask the participant to report the numbers or the words in the exact sequence as they hear. The trial ends after the participant recalls correctly or incorrectly, or if the participant does not produce a recall after 5 s. The teacher will not provide any verbal feedback for participants' responses during the pretest. The investigators will conduct pretest for approximately one week. During the pretest, teacher will record exactly what the participant says.
Random assignment:
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Factorial
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 4 Years 至 8 Years（Child）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •have a diagnosis of autism
- •have an echoic repertoire
排除标准
- •problem behavior or noncompliance
研究组 & 干预措施
Rehearsal + Reinforcement
The participants in this group will receive instruction on rehearsal strategy and reinforcement for correct recall.
干预措施: Rehearsal strategy and reinforcement (Behavioral)
Reinforcement
Participants will receive reinforcement for correct recall.
干预措施: Reinforcement (Behavioral)
Control
No intervention will be provided for participants enrolled in the control group.
Rehearsal
Participants will receive instruction on rehearsal strategy.
干预措施: Rehearsal strategy (Behavioral)
结局指标
主要结局
Change in percent recall
时间窗: Before, during, and up to 2 weeks after intervention.
Participants will hear a sequence of digits or words (range from 1 to 9 stimuli) and then will be asked to recall the serial order after a delay (e.g., 9, 12, or 15 s). Percent correct recall of serial order will be calculated for all sequences as well as for each sequence size and delay. Change of percent recall from before, during, and after the intervention will be measured.
次要结局
- Change in percent strategy used.(During the intervention, and up to 2 weeks after intervention.)