How Simplified Language Affects Comprehension and Learning in Young Autistic Children

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Autism Spectrum Disorder

In brief

The long-term study goal is to experimentally evaluate the components (and likely active ingredients) of early language interventions for young children with ASD. The overall objective is to determine how single-word and telegraphic simplification affects real-time language processing and word learning in young children with ASD (relative to full, grammatical utterances). The proposed project will investigate three specific aims: 1) Determine how single-word and telegraphic simplification affects language processing. 2) Determine how single-word and telegraphic simplification affects word learning. 3) Evaluate child characteristics that may moderate the effects of linguistic simplification on language processing and word learning. Aim 1 will test the hypothesis that children with ASD will process full, grammatical utterances faster and more accurately than single-word or telegraphic utterances. Aim 2 will test the hypothesis that full, grammatical utterances will support word learning better than telegraphic or single-word utterances. Aim 3 will test the hypothesis that language and cognitive skills significantly moderate the effects of linguistic simplification on language processing and word learning in young children with ASD.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05707923

Run by

Michigan State University

People needed

104

Starts

2023-06-01

Expected to finish

2027-05-31

Last updated by the study team

2026-06-15

Who can join

Age: 1 and older, up to 4. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Existing or suspected autism spectrum disorder, confirmed through ADOS-2
• English as primary language
• 1-4 years old

You may not qualify if…

• Known genetic condition (e.g., Down syndrome, fragile X)
• Cerebral palsy
• Acquired brain injury
• Uncorrected vision or hearing impairment

Where it is running

• Michigan State University — East Lansing, Michigan, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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