Evaluating group activity schedules to promote social play in children with autism

Publication date: Available online 27 December 2017Source: Learning and MotivationAuthor(s): Dana M. Gadaire, Katrina Bartell, Jamie VillacortaAbstractWe evaluated the effects of group activity schedules on social engagement among children with autism spectrum disorders. Although activity schedules are often applied to dyads, we assigned children to small groups (e.g., 3–4 children) to increase the number of available play partners and potential social validity of the intervention. We also compared the effects of group activity schedules with a similar intervention consisting exclusively of therapist-delivered prompts. Results indicated that activity schedules applied to small groups increased social engagement for 5 out of 5 children. On average, children who were exposed to group activity schedules engaged in higher levels of social engagement than children exposed to therapist prompts alone.
Source: Learning and Motivation - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research