Analysis of unconventional and conventional gestures in children with autism

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Date Posted

Research Study Description

This study is a dissertation study. This study is intended to examine gestures of autistic children. In general, research has shown that autistic children communicate through gestures, but the developmental pathway is different from non-autistic children. This study is an attempt to identify the gestural forms unique to the autistic child that are communicative but not typically identified as gestural communication. The aim is to understand all gestural forms of communication autistic children are attempting to convey that caregivers, educators, and professionals may be missing or not recognized as communicative.

The first phase of this study will be an online survey conducted with the caregiver(s) requiring about 30 minutes of their time. The next phase of the study is an optional online interview conducted by the researcher. The final phase of this study is also optional. In the final phase, caregivers will be asked to record the caregiver and the child at home in a 20-minute play time experience. Participation in any phase of the study is not required.

Entrance Criteria
1. Caregiver report of child diagnosed with autism.
2. Child is between 4.0 years – 8.11 years of age.
3. Autism Diagnosis verified by Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) or Autism Diagnosis Interview – Revised (ADI-R) within the last three years and reported by the caregiver in the online survey.
4. Caregiver report of autistic child’s vocabulary less than or equal to 25 words and no self-generated phrases.
5. Caregiver report of autistic child struggling to communicate needs and wants through recognizable means per caregiver report.
6. Caregiver report of autistic child not having a consistent way of communicating.
7. Caregiver unable to connect some body movements to meaning.
8. Caregiver willingness to participate in and complete an online survey.

Interested caregivers/parents should contact principal researcher directly at [email protected].

Thank you!
Mary Ann O’Connell, MA. CCC-SLP/Doctoral Candidate

Name of Organization:
Mary Ann O’Connell, Doctoral Candidate from Fielding Graduate University

For questions, please email::
Mary Ann O’Connell at [email protected] or 312-259-6917

Study Link: 

Mary Ann O’Connell at [email protected] or 312-259-6917