News and Knowledge

In October 2012, the OAR Scientific Council approved 12 new studies for a total of $355,000 in funding through its annual applied research competition. These efforts, which are now underway, are poised to advance our understanding of autism and how to effectively support those affected by the disorder. This month, we are previewing two more of the funded studies.

An Experimental Evaluation of Matrix Training

Researcher: Oliver Wendt, Ph.D., Purdue University
Funding amount: $30,000; one-year grant period

This study utilizes an innovative iPad app to promote graphic communication for nonverbal children with autism. The researcher hopes to help children on the autism spectrum who are currently using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). AAC replaces spoken language through alternative means of communication, such as electronic devices like iPads. The devices show graphic symbols that the children can select to communicate. AAC devices help children make simple requests, label objects and people, and reject requests. The research team will present the communication symbols (which will include adjectives and verbs in addition to the standard nouns) in a matrix to see if this approach will help children make multiple symbol combinations when communicating.

Dr. Wendt hopes that the findings from his study will help close the communication gap that exists for children with autism who are nonverbal.

Kit for Kids  Evaluation Project

Researcher: Jonathan Campbell, Ph.D., University of Kentucky
Funding amount: $29,984; one-year grant period

This research study is especially close to OAR’s heart, as it is an evaluation of one of its newest resources, the Kit for Kids. This resource was developed to improve typically developing peers’ knowledge, initial attitudes, and behavior toward students with ASD. Dr. Campbell will conduct an evaluation of the Kit for Kids in terms of:

• Its usability in both small and large classrooms
• Its efficacy in improving peers’ attitudes and behavioral intentions toward an unfamiliar student with autism
• Its usefulness when there is a small number of students with autism in general education classrooms

He hopes that the study findings will improve peer experiences of students with ASD within public education settings. Dr. Campbell points out that peer education and awareness campaigns regarding autism are typically conducted without evidentiary support. No published materials have been studied, so he hopes to pave the way in his assessment of the Kit for Kids.

For more information on OAR’s Kit for Kids, please visit OAR’s Web site or send an e-mail to programs@researchautism.org.