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ERIC Number: ED532123
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 162
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: ISBN-978-1-1094-6903-5
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Effects of Script Fading on the Abilities of Children with Autism to Reciprocate Information
Tedoff, Marc Alan
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Teaching communication skills to children with autism is a primary concern because speech and/or language delay characterize autism. One method of teaching verbal communication skills to children with autism is script fading. This study examined the effects of teaching children with autism to exchange information to peers about objects and pictures using script fading. Six children with autism were recruited from a special program for children with autism at a public elementary school. Participants were formed into dyads that remained intact throughout the study. Two dyads consisted of first grade students, one dyad consisted of a second and a fifth grade student. Prior to the study participants were screened for minimum reading and language skills using the Woodcock-Johnson III Letter-Word Identification and Passage Comprehension subtests; and the Expressive One Word Picture Vocabulary Test and Receptive One Word Picture Vocabulary Test. In a multiple baseline across participants design students were taught to exchange information about objects using script fading. Later, a script about pictures was introduced and the two scripts were taught in a rapidly alternating fashion. The frequency of scripted and unscripted statements, and non-responses were measured. Scripts were faded in five steps. In the last step only the conversational referents were present. Once scripts were completely faded novel objects and pictures were introduced; all participants demonstrated generalization. Results show that script fading had an effect on scripted statements made during intervention. Script fading did not have a strong effect on unscripted statements made during intervention. Most unscripted statements that were noted were not elaborations of the scripts. All participants were able to generalize the scripts to novel objects and pictures. Findings of this study reveal that script fading is effective for teaching children with autism to reciprocate information to peers about objects and pictures. Additionally, script fading is effective for teaching conversational skills that generalize to novel objects and pictures. This study used a parsimonious procedure that can be replicated by general practitioners. Because this study was conducted in a public school it provides support for the effectiveness of script fading with a general population of children with autism. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 1; Grade 2; Grade 5
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Expressive One Word Picture Vocabulary Test; Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A