News and Knowledge

In October 2012, OAR’s Board of Directors approved 12 new studies for a total of $355,000 in funding through its annual Applied Research Competition. These research efforts, nine of which are now underway, are poised to advance our understanding of autism and how to effectively support those affected by it. This month, we feature a study that has been funded through the proceeds from the 6th Annual Chloë K 5K Run Rock Ride event organized by Susie and Jeff Rayburn, long-time OAR supporters.

In May 2012, Jeff Rayburn, a devoted RUN FOR AUTISM team member, and his wife, Susie, organized the 6th Annual Chloe K 5K Run Rock Ride in Rensselaer, Ind. Their daughter, Chloë, for whom the race is named, is on the autism spectrum. Each year, the Rayburns donate the event’s proceeds to OAR.

Last year, they decided to do something a little different and donate the $15,000 they raised to a specific OAR-sponsored research study. They picked a study that seeks to improve the social interactions of people on the autism spectrum.

Increasing Variability of Verbal Initiations Through the Response of Conversation Partners

Researcher: Anna Petursdottir, Ph.D., Texas Christian University
Funding amount: $22,449; one-year grant period

The purpose of this study is to improve the social interactions of individuals with ASD by reinforcing varied conversation topics. The researcher hopes to help people on the spectrum who tend to perseverate on a “circumscribed interest” (CI) or one particular topic (such as machines, dinosaurs, historical events, or video games) while engaged in a conversation. People on the spectrum who fixate on a circumscribed interest usually find social interactions difficult as their conversation partner may be put off by the lack of variety in conversation topics.

The study involves pairs of researchers and participants (with an autism diagnosis) working together on a set task. As the pair works together, the researcher will only respond to the participant when the participant’s conversation topic changes. The participants who pick up on the social cues of reinforced responses from researchers and vary their conversation topics accordingly will be considered successful.

Dr. Petursdottir hopes that the findings of the study can be integrated into social skills curricula for people on the spectrum.  This research will conclude in December 2013, and OAR will publish results soon after.