The goal of this observational study is to test a reciprocal relationship between statistical learning and the development of language and literacy in first-graders with autism and their non-autistic peers. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. whether children's statistical learning abilities can predict their long-term improvement of language and literacy skills in school; 2. how children's brains automatically learn patterns from speech and prints; 3. whether children's learning in the lab reflects the language patterns they have learned over the years from their native language. First-grade students will participate in the study twice across three months. During Time 1, children will complete * a battery of language, reading, and cognitive assessments * a series of computer-based statistical learning games both inside and outside of functional MRI scanner. During Time 2, children will complete a battery of language and reading assessments to detect the growth in three months. Researchers will compare the autistic and the non-autistic groups to see if statistical learning plays a similar or different role in predicting children's language and literacy growth.
Age range
72 Months – 90 Months
Sex
ALL
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Language Composite Score
Timeframe: At each of the two measuring time points during the school year of the first grade with three months apart over a 40-minute teleassessment session
Reading Composite Score
Timeframe: At each of the two measuring time points during the school year of the first grade with three months apart over a 40-minute teleassessment session
Language/Literacy Disorder Status
Timeframe: At the first visit during the school year of the first grade over a 40-minute teleassessment session
Neural similarity between language and statistical learning tasks
Timeframe: At the first visit during the school year of the first grade over a two-hour MRI session
Orthographic statistical sensitivity
Timeframe: At each of the two measuring time points during the school year of the first grade with three months apart
Phonological statistical sensitivity
Timeframe: At each of the two measuring time points during the school year of the first grade with three months apart