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Rural Autistic Individuals - Supporting Expression

Montana State University · NCT07054866

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Opens the official ClinicalTrials.gov record, with the study team’s contacts. Bored Studies doesn’t enroll anyone.

Key facts

Compensation
Not posted. Ask the study team before screening.
Who can join
Ages 2+ · All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Study type
Interventional · Not applicable
Target enrollment
50
US sites recruiting
1
Study start
October 1, 2025
Record last updated
October 8, 2026

Status re-checked against ClinicalTrials.gov within the last 12 hours.

What the study is about

This research study investigates how hand gestures can support language comprehension and communication skills of hearing speaking, non-speaking, and/or minimally verbal individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), who are especially disadvantaged by the lack of accessible services in their rural communities. Individuals with other cognitive profiles, including Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), ADHD, Dyslexia, and others are welcome too. The study uses methods of eye tracking and recording of brain activity to understand how hand gestures adapted from signs from American Sign Language, such as [cry], can promote successful understanding of words like "cry". The overarching goal is to help families effectively utilize gestures to support communication with their children.

Being studied: Speech-Gesture combinations

Conditions: Autism Disorder; Language Development Disorders; ADHD; Typical Development; Rural Health; Children; Neuroimaging; Eye Tracking; EEG; fNIRS

Eligibility criteria

Copied from the official record. The study team makes the final decision at screening.

Show full criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • 1.1 Confirmed (preferably) or suspected diagnosis of ASD (autism spectrum disorder), or a receptive language impairment (i.e., difficulties with comprehension, Developmental Language Disorder), or both. Additional diagnoses, including ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder), are acceptable. Siblings and cousins of these individuals are also welcome.

OR 1.2 No diagnoses of ASD or DLD for unrelated control typically-developing participants.

  • Normal hearing and normal vision (or corrected to normal with glasses or contacts).
  • Ages 2+. 4. English as the dominant language of caregivers. 5. Caregivers who self-identify as living in a rural area. 6. The ability to verbally or physically respond is optional.

Exclusion Criteria

  • 1. Poor hearing. 2. Inborn or acquired brain damage.

Recruiting US locations

  • Montana State University

    Bozeman, MT 59717

    Site contact: Nadya Modyanova, Ph.D. · 406-848-1535 · language-research@montana.edu

Study contacts (from the official record)

  • Nadya N Modyanova, Ph.D. · 406-848-1535 · language-research@montana.edu
  • Bernadette McCrory, Ph.D. · 406-994-2801 · bernadette.mccrory@montana.edu
All mental health studies in Montana →
Rural Autistic Individuals - Supporting Expression (NCT07054866) | Bored Studies