The proposed project will attempt to confirm the benefits of a structured magic trick training program (MTTP) experience in adolescents with autism. Benefits of participating in a 6-week virtual MTTP will be evaluated using validated assessments to measure social-emotional competencies.

The Impact of a Virtual Magic Trick Training Program

Autism

Pervasive Developmental Disorder

The proposed study will employ a RCT to test the two hypotheses. The design of the MTTP is based on the SEL framework. The study will incorporate a 2 x 3 two-way factorial design with repeated measures at three time points. The two between-subject factor conditions will be participation in a MTTP versus a waitlist control condition that will be evaluated at baseline, immediately post-program, and at 6-week follow-up (within-subject factor conditions). Sixty adolescents with autism will be recruited for this study.

Aim 1. Evaluate the therapeutic benefits of a 6-week virtual MTTP on social-emotional functioning, and emotional stress among adolescents with autism.

Hypothesis #1: Adolescents with autism who participate in a virtual MTTP will demonstrate better social-emotional functioning, and a reduction in emotional stress compared to waitlist controls at the conclusion of a 6-week MTTP.

Hypothesis #2: The positive impact of the virtual MTTP on the participants' improved social-emotional functioning, and reduction in emotional stress will be maintained at 6-week follow-up.

magic trick training

The Impact of a Virtual Magic Trick Training Program on Social Emotional Functioning in Adolescents With Autism

The TASSK is a self-report 30-item questionnaire that measures knowledge of specific social skills. Scores range between 0 to 26 with higher score reflecting greater knowledge of adolescent social skills.

SDQ (peer problem scale and prosocial scale) consists of 10 items rated on a 3-point Likert-type scale (not true=1 to certainly true=3), with higher scores indicating higher psychological problems. Some items require reverse scoring.

RSES consists of 10 items rated on a 4-point Likert-type scale, with higher scores indicate higher self-esteem.

The UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) is a 20-item measure that assesses how often a person feels disconnected from others. Using a 4-point rating scale (1= never; 4 = always), participants answer 20 questions, such as "How often do you feel left out?" and "How often do you feel part of a group of friends?" Researchers later reverse-code the positively worded items so that high values mean more loneliness, and then calculate a score for each respondent by averaging their ratings.

It consists of 16 items rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale (not at all=1 to very well=5) with higher scores indicating higher self-efficacy.

The Best Friend Index is a scale for the measurement of the features of positive and negative friendship consisting of 18 items. Each item is answered on a 5-point scale (from 1= Never to 5=Very often).

It is a 12-item self-report and parent-report measure to assess the frequency of adolescents get-together, number of friends involved and the level of conflict during get-togethers over the previous month.

It is a checklist that provides a comprehensive measure of social functioning of children and adolescents who are on the Autism Spectrum. The 49 items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale with 1=never, 2=sometimes, 3=often, and 4=very often. The test yields three subscale scores: Social/Emotional Reciprocity (SER), Social Participation/Avoidance (SPA), and Detrimental Social Behaviors (DSB), as well as a total score.

The SSDS is more comprehensive, sensitive and specific compared to other instruments in terms of capturing key social processes that are necessary for understanding of social deficits in conditions. The 71 items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale with 1=never, 2=rarely, 3=sometimes, 4=often, and 5=always.

IThe SSDS is more comprehensive, sensitive and specific compared to other instruments in terms of capturing key social processes that are necessary for understanding of social deficits in conditions. The 71 items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale with 1=never, 2=rarely, 3=sometimes, 4=often, and 5=always.

Professor

the amount of cortisol in participants' hair.

Participation in a 6 weekly virtual magic trick training camp with three lessons per week.

The Impact of a Virtual Magic Trick Training Program

About this trial

Study ID

Status

Type

Phase

Placebo

Accepting

Trial Timing

What is this trial about?

What are the participation requirements?