Testing how sight and sound timing affects attention in children with autism
Compares how autistic and neurotypical children respond to simultaneous or separate visual and auditory signals.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: The Impact of Sensory Integration on Attention in Autism
Key facts
- Where
- Messina, ItalySee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 4 and 12 years old?
Source: NCT06872229, who can take part
Where in Italy
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB) - National Research Council (CNR)Messina, ItalyTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica
- Trial code
- NCT06872229
- Record updated
- 12 March 2025
- Original description
The study aims to examine how the mode of presentation of visual and auditory stimuli-separate or simultaneous-affects accuracy and reaction time in visual-auditory association in participants with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) compared to neurotypical individuals. The study aims to evaluate whether sensory overlap (simultaneous stimuli) increases cognitive load and decreases performance, while stimulus separation (separate presentation of visual and auditory stimuli) may facilitate processing and improve performance, especially in participants with ASC. Participants will be divided into two main groups: the first consisting of individuals with ASD and the second of neurotypical individuals. Each group will be exposed to two modes of stimulus presentation: simultaneous mode, in which visual and auditory stimuli are presented at the same time, and separate mode, in which visual and auditory stimuli are presented separately with a time interval between each. Participants will be required to complete visual-auditory association tasks. In addition to assessment of reaction time and accuracy, psychophysiological parameters will be recorded to measure cognitive load and physiological reaction to stimuli. The main hypotheses are that the simultaneous presentation of visual and auditory stimuli will increase cognitive load and reduce accuracy and reaction time in individuals with ASC, while the separate mode will improve performance, especially in the group with ASC. This study could provide important insights into how stimulus presentation mode affects learning and performance in participants with ASC, suggesting that stimulus separation could be a useful strategy for optimizing sensory processing and improving learning in educational and therapeutic settings.Read full original descriptionShow less
How the Simultaneous or Delayed Presentation of Visual and Auditory Stimuli Affects Response Accuracy and Reaction Times in Participants With Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) During an Association Task.
The study aims to examine how the mode of presentation of visual and auditory stimuli-separate or simultaneous-affects accuracy and reaction time in visual-auditory association in participants with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) compared to neurotypical individuals. The study aims to evaluate whether sensory overlap (simultaneous stimuli) increases cognitive load and decreases performance, while stimulus separation (separate presentation of visual and auditory stimuli) may facilitate processing and improve performance, especially in participants with ASC. Participants will be divided into two main groups: the first consisting of individuals with ASD and the second of neurotypical individuals. Each group will be exposed to two modes of stimulus presentation: simultaneous mode, in which visual and auditory stimuli are presented at the same time, and separate mode, in which visual and auditory stimuli are presented separately with a time interval between each. Participants will be required to complete visual-auditory association tasks. In addition to assessment of reaction time and accuracy, psychophysiological parameters will be recorded to measure cognitive load and physiological reaction to stimuli. The main hypotheses are that the simultaneous presentation of visual and auditory stimuli will increase cognitive load and reduce accuracy and reaction time in individuals with ASC, while the separate mode will improve performance, especially in the group with ASC. This study could provide important insights into how stimulus presentation mode affects learning and performance in participants with ASC, suggesting that stimulus separation could be a useful strategy for optimizing sensory processing and improving learning in educational and therapeutic settings.
Inclusion: Diagnosis of Autism; QI ≥ 80.
Exclusion: presence of other medical disorders; history of psychiatric diagnosis; significant hearing or visual impairments.