Drama based environments as a tool to aid diagnosis in ASD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Drama environments as a means to enhance the diagnostic process of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
IRAS ID
165663
Contact name
Hannah Newman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Kent
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 8 months, 23 days
Research summary
This exploratory study will look into whether observation in a drama-based environment (Imagining Autism), can enhance the diagnostic methods currently used for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Imagining Autism was an Arts and Humanities Research Council funded project that ran from 2011 -2014 and aimed to improve the experiences of those on the spectrum through the use of drama-based interventions. Not only did participants enjoy the experience, but there were noticeable differences in at least one of the measures used for all participants.
The study will explore if this drama setting can enhance the profile of strengths, difficulties and differences obtained in the traditional clinical diagnostic assessment using the ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule). This could be beneficial to children and those that care for, educate and support them as it may help enhance the diagnosis given, with a focus on the individual’s strengths, as well as the difficulties and differences they may experience.
Participants for this exploratory study would be children aged between three and eleven years old, who are already going through the diagnostic process for ASD within the Kent area. The study will take place at the Children's Assessment Centre in Kent (for the ADOS assessment) and at the University of Kent (where the drama environment will happen). The participants will attend two sessions in the drama environment within a month (each lasting approximately thirty minutes). The sessions will be filmed and then coded using a specially designed observational measure that also will also allow completion of the ADOS ratings. The ratings from the drama environments will be compared to those from the formal diagnostic assessment at the Children's Assessment Centre.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0071
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jan 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion