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Managing Auditory Sensitivity in Autism Spectrum Disorder: New Technologies for Customized Intervention

This thesis presentation explores the use of new technologies for customized intervention to manage auditory sensitivity in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The presentation discusses current treatment options, the potential of automated exposure therapy using virtual reality, and the development of Scratch programs for graded exposure therapy. Case studies show promising results and future directions for further research are outlined.

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Managing Auditory Sensitivity in Autism Spectrum Disorder: New Technologies for Customized Intervention

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  1. Managing Auditory Sensitivity in Autism Spectrum Disorder:New Technologies for Customized Intervention Rob Morris - Affective Computing

  2. Thesis Presentation Motivation • -Auditory sensitivity is extremely common in Autism Spectrum • Disorder • It creates extreme anxiety, and it can interfere with sensory processing • and social development

  3. Thesis Presentation Current Treatment Options • - Sound-isolators • - Auditory Integration Therapy (AIT) • - Exposure Therapy

  4. Thesis Presentation Exposure Therapy • Method: present stimulus at progressively closer ranges until habituation ensues • extremely effective for a wide range of disorders • used with autistic children with auditory sensitivity • Koegel, Oppendum, & Koegel (2004)

  5. Thesis Presentation Automating Exposure Therapy • Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy • - eliminates clinician oversight, but design phase is slow and costly • Sound sensitivities may be uniquely suited for automated • exposure therapy

  6. Thesis Presentation Approach • Create Scratch programs to automate exposure therapy • Present feared/aversive sounds in a graded, hierarchical fashion • - Incorporate sounds into programs

  7. Thesis Presentation Specific Aims • Serve the whole spectrum • many therapies are only suitable for high-functioning autistic individuals • consider possible motor/verbal difficulties of patient • Engaging • represent unique interests of the patient • ideally, patient should willingly engage in the treatment

  8. Thesis Presentation Specific Aims • Inexpensive • use free software to keep cost down • e.g., Scratch, Gimp, Audacity • Humane • consider unique stress levels of autistic individuals

  9. Thesis Presentation Evaluation • Uncomfortable Loudness Study • Objective: • - pilot test materials • - evaluate UCL test • - explore pairings of aversive sounds • Participants: • - 20 healthy college students without an Autism diagnosis

  10. Thesis Presentation Evaluation • Case Studies • Objective: • - assess therapeutic potential of the proposed intervention • Participants: • - 3 autistic individuals with auditory sensitivity issues

  11. Thesis Presentation Uncomfortable Loudness Study • How should aversive sounds be placed in the media programs? • At random? • Paired directly with events in the program?

  12. Thesis Presentation Evaluation • Experimental Groups • Paired: Aversive sounds paired with positive elements in • Randomized: Aversive sounds placed randomly Both groups received the same amount of exposures. The only difference was how the exposures were placed within the game.

  13. Thesis Presentation Evaluation • Experimental Design • Subjects were randomly assigned to either the “paired” or “randomized” group • Pre-test (UCL tests) • Exposure Game • Post-Test (UCL tests)

  14. Thesis Presentation Results • Paired: [F(1, 14) = 9.24, p = .009] • Randomized: [F(1,14) = .13, p = .726].

  15. Thesis Presentation Case Studies • JH: • - 26 yr old male • - Audio Sensitivities: coughing sounds • - Interests: babies, family photos • CC: • - 22 yr old female • - Audio Sensitivities: sneezing and throat-clearing sounds • - Interests: Disney princesses

  16. Thesis Presentation Case Studies • BL: • - 20 yr old male • - Audio Sensitivities: roosters, soda being poured into a can • - Interests: Herbie the Love Bug

  17. Identify preferred media content Identify problem sounds Search for sounds via freesound.org Find and download media Upload into Scratch Design Scratch program Assess Interest Pair sounds with positive reinforcers Introduce sounds in hierarchical fashion

  18. Thesis Presentation Case Study Results • JH:

  19. Thesis Presentation Case Study Results • CC: Session 1

  20. Thesis Presentation Case Study Results • CC: Session 2

  21. Thesis Presentation Case Study Results • BL: Study discontinued

  22. Thesis Presentation Conclusions • Specific Aims Upheld: • Serve the whole spectrum • Engaging • Inexpensive • Humane • Intervention shows potential • JH showed signs of complete remission • CC is improving in follow-up sessions

  23. Thesis Presentation Future Directions • Assess Therapeutic Efficacy of Intervention • Increase study enrollment • Complete 4-6 additional case studies • Evaluate case studies using single-case across stimulus design • Conduct rigorous pre- and post-test analyses

  24. Thesis Presentation Future Directions • Proliferate Techniques • Create training videos and forums • Create team of designers (skilled in Scratch or Flash)

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