Integrating choice-making opportunities within teacher-assigned academic tasks to facilitate the performance of children with autism

Journal/Book: J Assn Pers Severe Handicap. 1998; 23: 29 W Susquehanna Ave Ste 210, Baltimore, MD 21204-5201, USA. Assn Pers Severe Handicap. 319-328.

Abstract: Providing opportunities to make choices has received increasing support as an antecedent intervention to improve the performance of students with disabilities. Additional research in this area is needed to determine under what circumstances the application of choice making as a curricular intervention is appropriate and produces meaningful outcomes. The present study extended this line of research and investigated how providing choice opportunities to children with autism impacted their performance during teacher-assigned homework activities. An ABAB design was utilized to evaluate the effects of choice making (student vs. Tutor) on the academic performance of four children with autism. Results showed that providing students with opportunities to make choices regarding the order of task completion and use of stimulus materials improved participants' accuracy, productivity, affect, and reduced their disruptive behaviors. These findings support the use of child choice as a teaching strategy to improve the academic performance of children with autism during curricular activities. The functional properties of choice making and considerations for ifs use as a curricular-based antecedent intervention are discussed.

Note: Article Moes DR, Univ Calif Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, C9-752 NPI, Box 951759, Los Angeles,CA 90095 USA

Keyword(s): choice making; autism; curriculum; teaching strategies; PROBLEM BEHAVIORS; WORK PERFORMANCE; STUDENTS; DISABILITIES; PREFERENCE; HANDICAPS

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