First evidence of the feasibility of gaze-contingent attention training for school children with autism.
Georgina Powell, Sam V Wass, Jonathan T Erichsen and 1 others
PMID 26862085WHAT IT FOUND
Gaze-contingent attention training was feasible for 17 children with autism in schools.
It improved looking time at interesting images, but did not significantly change reaction times or attention disengagement. This pilot cannot confirm clinical benefit.
Key findings
01Seventeen children completed the study, with nine receiving training and eight serving as controls.
02Children who completed training showed a significant increase in looking time at 'interesting' images compared to controls.
03No significant improvements were found in reaction time tasks or attention disengagement latencies.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample size was very small (17 children), limiting the ability to detect real effects or generalize findings. The researcher was not blinded to group allocation, which could introduce bias in data monitoring and trial termination. Eyetracking data quality was significantly poorer in the school setting compared to laboratory standards, potentially obscuring true training effects. The study was designed as a feasibility pilot, not an efficacy trial, so it cannot determine if the training works clinically. Participants were heterogeneous in age and ability, and the tasks were sometimes too easy or too hard, affecting engagement.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the significant increase in looking time at 'interesting' images as proof that the training improves attentional control or social outcomes. The primary attentional measures (reaction time and disengagement) showed no significant improvement, and the study was a small feasibility pilot with unblinded assessment.