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TREAT Study: Testing Rewarding Experiences and Tasks 

What is the study?

The TREAT study aims to understand how young children's brains process different types of rewards like a video of their caregiver's face, bubbles in the room, and other videos. During this study, your child watch videos, do an activity that involves pressing a large button, and complete a developmental assessment with a licensed clinical psychologist or trainee. The goal for this study is to use this information to better individualize early intervention treatments for children on the autism spectrum. 

Who is eligible? 

We are currently recruiting children, including autistic children, aged 3 to 5.9 years old. 

What is involved in participating? 

Parents or caregivers complete a phone screening and questionnaires regarding demographics and their child's behavior. 

For nonautistic children: The child and their caregiver complete a one-time, 3 hour study visit at. Participants will be asked to complete a behavioral task, wear an EEG cap, watch videos, and participate in a developmental assessment. For children with an autism diagnosis, the child and their caregiver will complete two 3-hour study visits 

For autistic children: The child and their caregiver complete a 3 hour clinical visit (autism evaluation) and a 2 hour study visit. After completing both visits, caregivers may also choose to do a zoom feedback and consultation about their child's evaluation results and recommendations. During the autism evaluation visit, a clinical psychologist or supervised doctoral student completes an autism evaluation that includes a play-based assessment (ADOS-2), a cognitive evaluation (DAS-II), and a parent interview. The child is also introduced to the activities of the next visit. During the second visit, the child will be asked to complete a behavioral task, wear an EEG cap, and watch videos. 

Logistics: Visits take place at Notre Dame's Veldman Family Psychology Clinic (501 North Hill Street, South Bend, IN 46617). Scheduling for visits is flexible, including evenings and weekends.  Transportation assistance and childcare for siblings is available. Participants will be compensated $15 an hour for the length of their visits and children receive a small toy and souvenir photo. All families can choose to receive a copy of their assessment report.

I'd like more info or to sign up. Who can I talk to? 

You can talk to the lab manager about the study and whether your family might like to participate. You can email brainlab@nd.edu or call 574-501-3275, or fill out this survey.