Individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions are likely to have some deficits in EFs, although the deficits may differ across the affected individuals 10.īaddeley and Hitch 11 described WM as the processes by which information is temporarily stored and processed, enabling the execution of complex tasks such as learning, language comprehension, and reasoning. There is a pressing need for developing and testing new cost-effective treatment approaches for ASD.Įxecutive functions (EFs)-cognitive processes such as working memory (WM), attention, cognitive flexibility, planning, set shifting-are essential for the day-to-day functioning of people. These treatments are cost- and time-intensive 8, 9, and hence often limited in their access, particularly in developing countries. Current treatments for ASD include early interventions like Applied Behavioral Analysis 6, 7. The country-specific prevalence rates are 1.70% in the USA 3, 2.64% in South Korea 4, and 0.23% in India 5 lower rates in developing countries like India may partly be due to lack of awareness and diagnoses.
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According to WHO estimations, 1 in every 160 children worldwide is on the ASD 2. Further, there was no correlation between the change in the working memory and the change in the autistic symptoms.Īutism Spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by problems in communication, social interactions, idiosyncrasy, and repetitiveness in behaviors 1. We found no significant change in the autistic symptoms after the intervention. Using a Hindi translation of the autism treatment evaluation checklist, we also tested the collateral gains of the training in reducing autistic symptoms. Although we did not see a significant change in the working memory of all children with a month-long training, children who performed better on the games also showed more improvement in their working memory, suggesting that a longer intervention with the games might be useful in improving working memory.
Neurotracker customize trial#
We then conducted a preliminary trial to test the effectiveness of a month-long intervention using these games.
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Neurotracker customize free#
These open-source games, available free of cost to the community, were designed to match the behavioral preferences and sensorimotor abilities of children with ASD. Here we report the design and development of five smartphone-based games for training working memory in children with ASD. Deficits in executive functions occur frequently in autism spectrum disorder and present a target for intervention. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is prevalent globally, yet it lacks cost-effective treatment approaches.