Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SocialMind (Digital Personalized AI Based Platform Training Parents and Therapist to Develop Children with autism everyday Interaction)
Reporting period: 2022-07-01 to 2023-06-30
The overarching goal of the project was to assess the impact of the digital parent training program on improving the communication skills of children with ASD. By empowering parents and equipping them with evidence-based strategies, the project aimed to improve the developmental trajectory of children with ASD with difficulties in using spoken language, to improve their ability to communicate with their parents and thus to enhance the quality of life for both the children and their families. The clinical trial design allowed for rigorous evaluation of the intervention, providing valuable insights into its effectiveness, feasibility, and potential for wider implementation.
By conducting this clinical trial, the project aimed to contribute to bridging the research-practice gap in ASD interventions; the method was shifting the evidence based therapy skills to parents though digital solutions that can be widely accessible to them. The expected impact of the project was to provide a scalable and effective tool that trains parents in developing their children with ASD, ultimately improving their communication skills and enhancing their overall development and well-being.
The findings highlight the feasibility and scalability of delivering interventions through digital platforms, thereby increasing accessibility and reach. The project also emphasizes the importance of parental involvement and empowerment in ASD interventions, promoting a family-centered approach to therapy. Further uptake and success of the results require continued research, demonstration, and access to resources such as finance and supportive regulatory frameworks.
The primary outcomes of this study focused on key measures: communication events, joint attention and length of utterance. The average length of utterance in the test group, measured in whole words, increase by 0.74 and decreased (ie was shorter at the end of the trial) by 0.15 in the control group. The average number of responsive communication from the child in a ten minute period increased in the test group by 11.0 and decreased (was made lower) in the control group by 0.33 the average number of initiative communications of the child in a ten minute period increased in the test group by 27.0 and increased in the control group by 16.2 and the average number of joint attention events in a ten minute period increased in the test group by 9.8 and in the control group by 3.8.