We’re looking for kids with autism as well as typically developing kids to take part in our research.
The study is looking at how kids’ brains respond to different sounds, and how this relates to their language and communication skills.
We are using a technique known as magnetoencephalography or MEG for short. MEG works by measuring the tiny magnetic signals naturally emitted by neurons in the brain. It will tell us which parts of the kids’ brains are responding, how quickly, and how sensitive they are to subtle changes in the sounds they are hearing.
It involves absolutely no physical risks. Kids get to go in a “space rocket”, watch a movie of their choice - and get paid!
If you’d like your child to take part, please ring Shu Yau (02 98504314) or email shu.yau@mq.edu.au
Who can take part in the study?
We are currently recruiting children aged 5-12 years, who live in the Sydney area:
- Children on the autism spectrum (i.e., children with a diagnosis of autism, autism spectrum disorder, Asperger syndrome, or PDD-NOS). Our only criterion is that kids need to have at least some spoken language and can complete the different tasks.
- Typically developing children (i.e., non-autistic children with no language or communication difficulties or epilepsy). These children are very important because they provide an objective age-matched comparison.
What would happen if my child took part in this research?
Firstly, you and your child would be invited to the KIT-Macquarie Brain Research laboratory to meet the researchers and become familiar with the MEG lab. It is important for us to take time to get to know you and your child before we proceed with the study. We will help the children understand what will be expected of them if they decide to take part. For the younger ones, we also give out prizes and certificates to show that they are qualified MEG astronauts!
If you and your child are happy to proceed, we will start with a short hearing screening test, using headphones, to establish the softest sound your child can hear. Then we will proceed to the MEG, where they will lie on a bed and listen to sounds while watching a DVD of their choice. After the MEG recording, your child will complete some behavioural tasks to give us a record of his/her cognitive, social and communicative skills. These involve playing with toys (for the younger ones), storybooks and computer games.
For some children, a second visit may be scheduled to complete the MEG recording, if they wish, or if the child prefers to finish the behavioural tests on another day.
For parents, we would send you a brief questionnaire concerning your child’s social and communication skills. We’d give you a freepost envelope so you could complete it and post it back to us in your own time, free of charge.
Do we get paid for taking part?
Yes. We pay $40 for the first MEG visit, and $20 for each subsequent visit to complete behavioural testing.
Where and when would the research take place?
The study will take place at a time that suits you, and can be split into two or more sessions if needed. The MEG system is at the KIT-Macquarie Brain Research laboratory at 299 Lane Cove Road, close to Macquarie Park station.
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Are there any risks involved in this research?
There are absolutely no physical risks involved in the study. If your child became tired or anxious, testing would stop immediately. Unlike other brain imaging techniques, MEG is silent, doesn’t involve things being stuck to the child’s head (except for a swimming cap), and you will be able to stay with your child the entire time. The short hearing test is just a screening test, but we will alert you immediately if we suspect hearing loss/impairment in your child.
What happens to the information recorded?
The information we record during this study will be treated in strictest confidence and we certainly wouldn’t pass on any information about your child to anyone outside the research project without your written permission. Your child’s scores on the various tests would be coded and stored on a computer with password protection. They would be given an ID number so that nobody outside the research project knows their real name.
How will I find out about the outcomes of the research?
We will send you a summary of the research project and its outcomes. We will also send you a summary of your child’s scores on the different tests, which you may take to clinicians if you wish.
What happens if I change my mind?
You are free to withdraw your child from the research study at any time. You don't have to give a reason and you'll still get paid.
Who is conducting the research?
The study is being conducted by Shu Yau, as part of her PhD, supervised by Dr Jon Brock at the Macquarie Centre for Cognitive Science. It is part of a larger research program funded by the Australian Research Council and Macquarie University.
Would we be asked to take part in other studies?
If you’d like to get involved in other research projects, we can send you information about future studies. But there is absolutely no obligation for you to take part in these.
I'm still interested. What do I do now?
If having got this far, you're still interested in your child taking part, please phone Shu Yau (PhD student) at 0298504314 or email shu.yau@mq.edu.au
The ethical aspects of this study have been approved by the Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee. If you have any complaints or reservations about any ethical aspect of your participation in this research, you may contact the Committee through the Director, Research Ethics (telephone (02) 9850 7854; email ethics@mq.edu.au). Any complaint you make will be treated in confidence and investigated, and you will be informed of the outcome.