Research Studies

The Identification of Non-Verbal Oral, Motor Speech and Phonological Impairment in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Principal Investigators: Shelley Velleman, Ph.D., Mary Andrianopoulos, Ph.D. Other Investigators: Christina Foreman, Ph.D.

Half of all children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) do not communicate by speaking. The nature of their speech problems is not understood. There are three possible causes: muscle weakness (dysarthria), poor motor programming/planning (apraxia), or limited ability to represent words as sounds in their minds (phonology). In a survey study, Marili, Andrianopoulos, Velleman, and Foreman (2005) found that 60% of children with ASD had at least some of these factors interfering with oral communication. The purpose of this study is to determine whether children with ASD exhibit signs and symptoms consistent with a motor speech problem. The results of this study will shed insight into the nature of the communication breakdown in children with ASD and appropriate treatment approaches to enhance oral communication.

Participants Needed:
We are looking for healthy children diagnosed with ASD that between the ages of 4 to 6 years and meet the following inclusion criteria: the presence of a speech and communication disorder, non-verbal IQ of 70-90 based on formal IQ testing; normal hearing and vision; no behavioral problems that inflict injury onto self or others. Potential candidates with a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder should be based on a written report provided by a qualified physician, psychologist, speech-language pathologist, or qualified specialist.

Visits:
Children who qualify for the study will be scheduled for four 1-2 hour evaluation sessions. The test activities in each session will be organized in a fun, lively way with breaks so that the child participant will not get frustrated, bored or tired. Child participants will be rewarded for their efforts and participation with parent approved items such as stickers, food, etc. During the four sessions, tests and activities will be given to assess the child’s IQ, oral structures, speech, hearing, understanding and use of language, and voice.

Compensation:
In addition to praise and rewards (stickers, small toys, etc.) for the child’s efforts on the tests and activities, the child participant will receive a research stipend in compensation for his/her participation in this study. Monetary payment for the child’s participation will consist of: three (3) $20 dollar payments for the first three sessions and one (1) $40 payment for the fourth and last session. Therefore, each child’s total stipend will be $100 for their participation in all four sessions. If the child does not attend or complete a session, he/she will not be compensated for his/her participation in that session. Transportation, gas, tolls and parking costs to and from the facilities located on the UMass-Amherst Campus will not be compensated.

For more information, please contact:
Call or email your contact information
(Name, Address, City, State, Zip) to:

Dr. Mary Andrianopoulos at (413) 545-0551 or mva@comdis.umass.edu or
Dr. Shelley Velleman at 545-3636 or velleman@comdis.umass.edu