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| International Paper Session - Social Skills, Play Skills and Group Contingencies |
| Tuesday, May 27, 2008 |
| 10:30 AM–11:50 AM |
| Astoria |
| Area: AUT |
| Chair: Dennis W. Moore (Monash University) |
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| The Role of Video-Modeling in Successful Interventions Targeting Social Skills in Children with Autism. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| DENNIS W. MOORE (Monash University), Angelika Anderson (Monash University) |
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| Abstract: The social difficulties associated with autism present a particular challenge to individuals with the disorder, their families and practitioners. Inadequate social skills contribute to the social isolation experienced by individuals with autism, and to the difficulties they experience in functioning adaptively in mainstream community settings, including schools and kindergartens. This paper presents the results of three studies targeting play and social skills in children with autism, employing interventions that include video self modeling, video modeling incorporating social stories, and combined in vivo/video modeling. Specific target behaviours included: greeting, inviting to play, other social initiations, and contingent responding. The effectiveness of including video modeling strategies in improving the social repertoire of children with autism, and consideration of specific elements that contribute to the effectiveness of video modeling strategies are discussed. |
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| A Preliminary Investigation of the Effect of a Playscript on the Acquisition of Symbolic Play for Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| NANCY J. CHAMPLIN (Autism Concepts, Inc.), Elizabeth C. Rusinko (Autism Concepts, Inc.), Aimee E. Collier (Autism Concepts, Inc.) |
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| Abstract: We investigated the effect of a visual playscript to teach symbolic play to 4 children diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Symbolic play was defined as using a toy to simulate a real-life action such as, holding a thermometer to a stuffed animal’s mouth and saying the word “sick”. The ‘Vet’ script was comprised of pictures representing 7 motor actions and 7 corresponding vocal actions that typically occur during a visit to a veterinarian. Each picture depicted a stuffed dog, the necessary prop for the required action, and the corresponding vocal response. For example, the first picture showed the stuffed dog, a stethoscope and the word “bum-bum”. Physical and vocal prompts were used to teach the motor and vocal responses, respectively. Prompts were systematically faded to facilitate independent responding for both motor and vocal responses. Increases occurred in independent symbolic play across all 4 children. Results are discussed concerning the importance of teaching play to children diagnosed with autism and the effect of play on the acquisition of cognitive and social skills. |
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| Improving On-task Behavior during Independent and Group Activities by Implementing a Group Contingency. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| AMANDA S. MENTZER (Queens College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York), Sana L. Shadded (Queens College, City University of New York), Lynda Ellen Hounshell (New York City Dept. of Education), Arifa Roban (Queens College, City University of New York), Alicia M. Alvero (Queens College, City University of New York) |
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| Abstract: An effective way to manage a classroom involves enhancing students’ on-task behavior both during independent and group tasks (Heering & Wilder, 2006; Shores, Apolloni, & Noman, 1976), which this study attempted. This research entailed implementing a group contingency on the behavior of five students, between the ages of seven and nine, who attended a public school and previously received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The purpose of the study involved examining the percentage of on-task behavior as the function of a group contingency. A momentary time sampling procedure aided data collection for directly observing the participants’ behavior up to nine times a week for approximately four months. An analysis of the data discovered the group contingency yielded promising results. |
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