Effect of a Motor-Based Role-Play Intervention on the Social Behaviors of Adolescents With High-Functioning Autism: Multiple-Baseline Single-Subject Design

Abstract

OBJECTIVE.We examined the effect of a motor-based role-play intervention on the social skills of adolescents with high-functioning autism.METHOD. An ABA multiple-baseline design with three 3-mo phases occurring over 12 mo was used with 7 participants. Frequency of targeted verbal and nonverbal behaviors was tallied in each phase. Frequency data were analyzed using repeated-measures analyses of variance with post hoc comparisons to examine differences in targeted behaviors over the three phases.

Enhancing Social Skills in Adolescents with High Functioning Autism using Motor-based Role-play Intervention

“…Based on mirror neuron theories and the premise that intervention must address the disrupted chain linking motor behaviors and emotional meaning, we developed a manual of role-play activities designed to help adolescents with HFA identify and assign meaning to the facial expressions, body language, gestures, and vocal intonation used in specific real-life scenarios commonly encountered in the school, family, and community environments. The intervention has received preliminary support for effectiveness in several empirical studies (Gutman et al, 2010;Gutman, Raphael-Greenfield, & Rao, in press;Gutman, Raphael-Greenfield, & Rao, 2012;Gutman, Raphael-Greenfield, & Salvant, 2012).…”

Análise de Comportamento Aplicada e Distúrbios do Espectro do Autismo: revisão de literatura

“…In regard to the participants' age, there is a large variation, including participants under 36 months and adolescents. Besides that, this characteristic is also described with different degrees of specificity; while some papers describe age ranges as "between 2 years and 4 months and 6 years and 2 months" (11) , others refer just to "children" (19) or "adolescents" (20) .…”

“…The training processes took place mostly in the school (21) (at the child's classroom or in some silent room), in clinics (8) or at the participant's home. The purposes of the intervention programs ranged from motor imitation (11) to adaptation abilities (19) ; toilet training; motor, social and linguistic abilities (5,9,20,21) . Some papers report successful results using ABA approaches, with relevant progress to all participants, in different areas, especially with early intensive intervention programs.…”

Using Motor-Based Role-Play to Enhance Social Skills in a Nonverbal Adolescent With High Functioning Autism: A Case Report

“…This intervention has received preliminary support in several single-subject design studies across multiple participants who had diminished social skill use but were verbal (Gutman et al, 2010;Gutman, Raphael-Greenfield, & Rao, 2012a;Gutman, Raphael-Greenfield, & Rao, 2012b;Gutman, Raphael-Greenfield, & Salvant, 2012). Prior to this study, the intervention had not been tested with nonverbal adolescents with HFA.…”