Awareness Training in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Istituto per la Ricerca e l'Innovazione Biomedica

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autism

Treatments: Other: Awareness training with using Oculus.; Other: Awareness training without using Oculus

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06278168

CNR-IRIB-PRO-2024-002

Details and patient eligibility

About

The proposed protocol aims to facilitate awareness and understanding of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 to 14 with an IQ between 85 and 115. Conducted once a week for 60 minutes, the protocol encompasses two initial group sessions followed by 5 group meetings, introducing activities to foster self-awareness, cognitive understanding, and an inclusive environment. Subsequently, the protocol advances to 12 individual sessions focused on emotional well-being and self-awareness, integrating Oculus technology and chest sensors for heart rate monitoring. Initiating the intervention, individual family meetings are scheduled to outline intervention goals and phases. The initial group sessions focus on social bonding, cognitive understanding, and creating an accepting atmosphere among participants. Utilizing activities addressing neurodiversity awareness and technological tools like tablets, the sessions encourage discussions on individual differences and sensitivities. The subsequent individual sessions are structured to explore personal values, identify inner critical voices, and develop emotional awareness through exercises exploring emotions and physical sensations. Progressively, the intervention introduces mindfulness, guiding participants to acknowledge emotions as normal and encouraging alignment of daily actions with personal values. Following this, sessions center on building observational skills, recognizing past behaviors, and fostering strengths tied to values. Participants are encouraged to distinguish between their critical "consultant" and the value-driven "explorer," fostering personal growth and reflection. The protocol's later stages delve into identifying personal strengths linked to core values and exploring value-driven goals. Visual exercises, metaphors, and flexible self-views are emphasized, promoting adaptability and self-evolution. The protocol concludes by advocating a flexible self-view, embracing change, and connecting oneself to ever-evolving metaphors like "a cup with changing contents" or "the ever-changing sky." These sessions culminate with visual relaxation facilitated through Oculus technology while simultaneously monitoring participants' heart rates using chest sensors. This comprehensive approach integrates technological tools with emotional and cognitive exercises, providing a multifaceted framework to enhance self-awareness and promote acceptance within the context of neurodiversity.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 8 to 14 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 85<IQ<115

Exclusion criteria

• presence of other medical disorders

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Experimental awareness group

Experimental group

Description:

Twenty children in the experimental group will undergo individual training in which they will watch relaxation videos with the Oculus device. The group sessions will be the same for both groups.

Treatment:

Other: Awareness training with using Oculus.

Traditional awareness group

Other group

Description:

Twenty children in the control group will undergo individual training without using Oculus device. The group sessions will be the same for both groups.

Treatment:

Other: Awareness training without using Oculus