Department of Psychology, University of York
Department of Psychology, University of York
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS/CARERS
Is time perception linked to social and motor abilities?
Researcher: Victoria Brattan, The University of York
Supervisors: Dr. Patrick Johnston, The University of York
Dr. Barry Wright, Lime Trees Child and Adolescent Hospital
Dr. Jason Tipples, The University of Hull
Dear Parent or Carer,
You and your child are being invited to take part in a research study conducted by The University of York.
Before you decide whether you and your child would like to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please read the details included in this information sheet and if you are happy to participate, please contact Victoria Brattan on the details at the end of this form. Please do ask us if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information.
General information about the area of study
We are interested in the individual perception of time; that is, how we estimate and judge the elapse of time. There is very little research to date that has examined just how well children are able to judge the elapse of different periods of time. We would like to explore just this. Furthermore, very recently, it has been suggested that there may be interesting links between capacities to understand the passage of time and social and motor abilities. We are particularly interested in how this time perception may be related to social and motor difficulties in children with autism/autistic spectrum condition and how it compares to typically developing children.
Purpose of the Research
We hope to:
1) gain greater insight into the internal timing/clocking mechanisms of children of different ages.
2) better understand how these internal timing mechanisms relate to social and motor abilities in typically developing children.
3) gain knowledge about how such timing mechanisms may be related to social and motor problems in children with autism spectrum condition.
4) Explore the utility of using time tasks as a marker for diagnosing autism spectrum condition.
Why has my child been chosen?
As part of this research we are looking for at least 44 children in total, aged between 5 and 15 years, to take part in the study: 22 typically developing children and 22 with a current diagnosis of autism/autism spectrum condition. Your child is being invited to take part because they fit one of these criteria.
Does my child have to take part?
No. This is an entirely voluntary project. If you choose not to participate it will not affect your treatment in any way. If you give your consent for your child to participate, you will be asked to sign a consent form. Even if you give consent, you will still be free to withdraw your child at any time and without giving a reason.
What will my child be asked to do if we agree to take part?
1) If your child is currently diagnosed with autism spectrum condition, you child will first be asked to participate in some short play tasks/ interaction (the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, ADOS) to corroborate ASC classification for research purposes (30-45 minutes).
2) All children will be asked to participate in a short assessment of general ability/intelligence (Approx. 10 minutes).
3) All children will be asked to take part in two short computer-based tasks which will examine their judgement of the elapse of time (Max. 15 mins):
i) Firstly, they will be presented with some friendly images on a computer screen and asked to decide whether they think the images appear for a duration that is more similar to either a ‘long’ or a ‘short’ period of time that they learn earlier.
ii) Secondly, your child will be asked to click a button in response to a target image on the screen (eg. an arrow), which always follows the same cue (eg. a yellow cross). The time between the cue and the target will vary. All your child will have to do is press a button when he/she sees the target image.
4) Your child will then be asked to take part in another short computer task to look at understanding facial emotion and identity:
Your child will see some pictures of pairs of faces and butterflies. Your child will simply be asked to decide whether the pictures are the same or different for emotion or identity (Max. 10-15 mins).
5) Finally, your child will be asked to participate in some short fun tasks examining motor function, which will look at your child’s balance, co-ordination and timed movements (like finger-tapping) (Max. 15 mins).
As a parent, what will I be asked to do if we agree to take part?
As a parent/carer, you will be asked to complete one or two brief questionnaires about your child in your own time:
The Social Communication Questionnaire is to be completed only for children with a diagnosis of autism/autism spectrum condition. The Cambridge University Behaviour and Personality Questionnaire For Children/Adolescents is to be completed for every child who wishes to participate (typically developing or with ASC). These questionnaires will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete in total.
Where will the research sessions take place and how long will it take?
We are currently establishing links with local schools and it is foreseen that the sessions will take place at your child's school. We will liaise with headteachers to find a quiet place available to work that is free from distraction. If the sessions cannot take place at your school, they will be held at the Wolfson Suite at The University of York, and any travel expenses incurred reimbursed.
Every effort will be made to ensure that the research sessions are fun, enjoyable and relaxed as possible for the children. You are very welcome to sit in during the session if your child wishes you to.
The total testing time will be approximately 1 hour 30mins for children with autism spectrum condition, and sessions may be split into two separate sessions of no more than 45mins-1 hour each. For typically developing children, the sessions will not exceed 1 hour.
Who will run the research sessions?
Anyone involved in the project who will have direct contact with children has full Criminal Record Bureau clearance for working with children. Miss Victoria Brattan will meet the children taking part and run the sessions.
Will all my child’s details and the assessment results be kept confidential?
Yes. All the information about participants in this study will be kept confidential and data will be anonymous and stored securely.
The Department of Psychology Ethics Committee scrutinises all project proposals before work begins.
Contact:
If you and your child would like to participate, please complete the enclosed consent form and questionnaires about your child and return them by FREEPOST in the addressed envelope provided.
If you require any further information/ have any questions about this study, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me:
Victoria Brattan: Phone: 01904 432954Email:
Thank you for reading this information and considering whether or not you and your child would like to take part in this study.