RESEARCH
Developing a Novel Treatment for Restricted Inflexible Behavior
Participant characteristics:
- Individuals diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder Ages 4 -22 years
- Individuals who like to play with just a few toys or who always play with toys in the same way
- In the first session, we will complete some cognitive assessments, conduct brief training on a computerized video display program, and familiarize him or her with the session room.
- In the second session, the child will be allowed to play with any of six activities for 30 minutes. He or she will be allowed to play with the activities as he or she chooses, to move freely between the activities or sit and play with only one.
- In the third session, the participant will be asked to move to another activity periodically if they continue to play with just one activity.
- There may be one additional session to complete additional cognitive assessments.
In this first part of the study (described above), we will be looking for any play-related rigidity, such as only playing with one toy; playing with many toys but always in the same way or same order; or playing only with toys that are a certain color.
Any children who show restricted or repetitive behavior during these assessments will be eligible to participate in the second phase of the study, in which we will attempt to teach the children to vary their play behavior. The exact procedures will depend on the form of the restricted behavior, but will involve prompting as needed to vary play behavior and providing praise and other forms of reinforcement for doing so.
For more information on participating in the study, please call the Behavior Analysis Research Clinic at 352-273-2184.
Research participants are needed for a study here at UF to assess the driving skills in a driving simulator for youth diagnosed with Attention Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) OR Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
Participation may involve:
- A phone interview with health and driving questions
- Participate in clinical test (for example paper and pencil tests) and
- Operate a driving simulator
Participants may be compensated for study involvement.
Eligibility to participate:
- 1. 14-18 years old WITHOUT a driver's license or learner's permit
- 2. have a diagnosis of:
-Autism Spectrum Disorder
-or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- 3. For healthy controls - No diagnosis or a neurological condition or learning disability
- 4. Have a parent who will provide consent and also attend the session to answer questions about the youth (such as independence in life skills)
- 5. Normal to above average intelligence: An IQ of 90 or higher
For further information contact Miriam Monahan at UF's Department of Occupational Therapy (352)273-6057
Autism and Movement Study
Contact:Keith D. White, Ph.D.
University of Florida
Department of Psychology
(352)273-2143
kdwhite@ufl.edu
Researchers at UF are looking for children with autism to participate in the Autism and Movement Study. The study takes no more than 20 minutes and can be done at a time and place convenient to your family. A video of the experiment, including a description and an example of the procedure is available here: http://psych.ufl.edu/~white/UPDRS-autism.mpeg
Two research studies: The Department of Clinical and Health Psychology at the
University of Florida
- Pilot Study to Evaluate Repetitive Behavior of Pre-Schoolers (Children with Autism Ages 3-6)
Contact: Cara Kimberg, MS
(352) 392-7928
Email neurodevelopmental_lab@yahoo.com
Download flier and letter to families - Study of Motor and Cognitive Development (Children diagnosed with Autism ages 4-7)
Contacts: Dr. Hass (352)392-0584 ext. 1294
Email cjhass@hhp.ufl.edu
Dr. Radonovich (352)392-7928
email kradonov@psychiatry.ufl.edu
Download the informational flier
Does your child have Autism or Developmental Delay?
Contact: Dr. Radonovich
352-392-7928
kradonov@psychiatry.ufl.edu
We are looking for children, ages 2-16, diagnosed with Autism or developmental delay to participate in a study of motor and cognitive development. This study may help researchers understand how the brain develops differently in people with autism and related developmental disorders. Problem solving skills and motor abilities will be assessed. Parents will be interviewed. Children will receive a small gift for participating.