Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Invited to Participate in Play Intervention Study

PLAY INTERVENTION STUDY

Researchers at the University of Connecticut are looking for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders to participate in a research study that examines how play interventions help children with ASDs.

The study is being conducted by Anjana Bhat, an assistant professor in UConn’s NEAG School of Education, and Linda Neelly, an associate professor of Music Education. 

The UConn IRB has approved this study Protocol#: H11-218

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Children with and without autism spectrum disorders between 3 and 14 years of age

WHAT WILL BE INVOLVED?

• This study will involve a total of 20 sessions delivered over a period of 10 weeks. You and your child will visit our lab or we will visit you at your home or daycare or school (during/after school hours) to deliver two play interventions (music-based or social play). Each session lasts approximately 30-45 minutes.

• During the testing sessions we examine your child’s motor skills during various games that involve walking, drumming, balancing, and copying complex hand movements.

• During certain tests, your child may have sensors placed on his/her hands and feet.

•During training, your child will work with another child and engage in various play activities based on your child’s grouping.

•You or your child’s teacher will fill out a questionnaire to obtain a motor measure of your child’s development. The visits will be videotaped so that we may score your child’s responses later.

•If you have a child with autism, you will need to provide a letter confirming your child’s diagnosis and you will need to visit UConn clinic for an additional assessment. Parents/caregivers will provide additional training sessions to children with autism.

•Your child will receive $50 upon completion of all testing sessions and the majority of the training sessions.

If interested, please call us at 1-860-486-0019 or email at anjana.bhat@uconn.edu