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VIDEO MODELING RESEARCH: Video Modeling Interventions for Individuals with Autism
Delano, M.E. (2007)
In this study, researchers sought to access the effectiveness of video modeling interventions with individuals with Autism. Results indicated that video modeling interventions had positive effects on individuals with Autism both during treatment and after treatment. It was found that improvements were made in areas of social communication, functional behaviors, perspective taking and problem behavior. After the completion of the study, researchers assessed maintenance and generalization skills to see if the individuals were able to maintain skills they had learned via video modeling and to see if the individuals were able to generalize these skills in different contexts with different individuals. Results indicated that individuals were able to maintain skills learned via video modeling and children were able to generalize skills learned via video modeling across all generalization conditions. This is an important finding since generalization skills are typically challenging for learners with Autism.
AutisMate encourages users to either create their own videos within a scene or to access videos form our content library. Here at SpecialNeedsWare we understand the difficulties your child may have with social skills, functional skills and the generalization of these skills. AutisMate allows you the opportunity to quickly and easily access videos to maximize the learning potential of your child.
SOCIAL STORIES RESEARCH: Social Stories for Students with Autism in Physical Education
Sandt, D. (2008)
This study assessed the usefulness of social stories when used to prepare children for gym class in a school setting. Social stories are often used to reduce stress and anxiety associated with certain situations in children with Autism. Social stories are often read to the child before he/she encounters the stressful situation. The study indicated that a well-constructed and personalized social story could promote positive behavior changes in children with autism within the physical education setting.
AutisMate allows you the opportunity to create your own personalized social stories or choose from our free library of social stories designed for your child. Each story can be downloaded and either viewed as is or can be edited. If you want to personalize the story to your child, simply change the images, voice and story structure to include names and places your child is most often associated with. These stories are also helpful to prepare your child for stressful situations in school. It is easy to create a story in school or create it at home and share it with your child’s teacher using our easy sharing method.
VISUAL SCENES RESEARCH: Applying Technology to Visually Support Language and Communication in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Shane, H.C., Laubscher, E.H., Schlosser, R.W., Flynn, S., Sorce, J.F., & Abramson, J. (2012)
With the evolution of technology in today’s society, providing means of communication for those with autism is changing at an extremely fast rate. Traditional AAC communication devices are bulky and often “robotic” in a sense. With the use of Android devices, iPads, iPhones and iPods, communication methods are changing for the better, making it easier for parents and individuals with Autism to navigate through the communication devices and facilitate communication in everyday environments. The use of emerging augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology provides users with a visual approach to everyday communication and can improve language skills in multiple domains.
AutisMate is proud to be a part of this paradigm shift. The idea for AutisMate came when Jonathan Izak’s realized his younger brother Oriel was yearning to communicate with the outside world and had difficulties accomplishing this using traditional grid based systems. He imagined the frustration of a person who had the words ready to go on the tip of his tongue but couldn’t say anything to anyone. And how it’s this same frustration—from not being understood—that often causes individuals with autism to have other behavioral issues. But that’s the reality that traditional AAC devices create for individuals with autism. Different children have different needs and not all of them are being met by what’s available. Most devices and apps focus too much on a single approach to communication or behavior, not taking into account that these are all interconnected.
Visual Scenes
VISUAL SCENES RESEARCH: Using Visual Scene Displays to Improve Communication and Communication Instruction in Persons With Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Shane, H.C. (2006)
It is not uncommon for individuals with Autism to react violently and negatively to changes in a routine or changes in their daily schedule. The use of visual supports (stories, schedules) can lessen the individual’s anxiety and prepare them for changes in their environment. Traditional schedules depict isolated images of persons places or things where as an entire visual scene can portray all these elements at once VSD’s portray people, actions, events or activities in which they occur or exist and create a meaningful context for the learner. This study compared grid based scenes versus visual scenes to assess children’s interpretation of the scenes. It was found that children were better able to interpret the contents of a visual scene due to the fact that children were better able to understand all of the pieces as they were together rather than being isolated.
AutisMate utalizes both forms of communication in one place. We offer a traditional grid based communication system along with visual communication systems to meet the needs of your child. We understand that transitions and changes may have negative effects on your child so we sought to incorporate as many visual support systems in one place. Our visual schedules and stories can prepare your child for transitions and changes reducing the anxiety and behaviors associated with these changes.
VISUAL SCENES RESEARCH: Learning of Dynamic Display AAC Technologies by Typically Developing 3-Year-Olds: Effect of Different Layouts and Menu Approaches.
Drager, K., Light, J., Carlson, R., D’Silva, K. (2004)
Researchers wanted to address the following questions, what is the performance of typically developing children in locating the necessary pictures needed to communicate in traditional AAC grid based systems and are the children able to generalize these communication skills. Researchers provided typically developing children with a grid based AAC system containing more than 30 pictures. Each child participated in 4 learning sessions to teach the AAC system. Results indicated that all children had difficulties learning to use the AAC technology to communicate. It was also noted that there was very limited generalization of skills using the AAC system.
Based on extensive research, SpecialNeedsWare sought to create a new way not only for children to communicate but to also learn new behaviors. While AutisMate does incorporate a traditional grid based communication system, we also incorporated contextual displays, which your child can better relate to. Using a contextual based system can help your child better generalize skills with different people and in different locations.
Social Stories
SOCIAL STORIES RESEARCH: Decreasing Disruptive Behaviors of Children with Autism Using Social Stories.
Scattone, D., Wilczynski, S.M., Edwards, R.P., & Rabian, B. (2002)
The current study examined the extent to which social stories decreased disruptive behaviors in those with Autism. Social stories have been noted to reduce anxiety and prepare an individual for an upcoming stressful situation. Social stories are also a convenient and less obtrusive method of attempting to reduce problem behaviors. In this study, therapists read the social stories to each child before transitioning them to a task that typically caused disruptive behaviors. Results indicated that disruptive behaviors were reduced for all children following social stories either being read to them or reading the stories themselves.
AutisMate provides you and your child the opportunity to create your own personalized social stories to prepare your child or the option to download free stories from our content library. Our stories are based on some of the most common social stories parents often request. Our social stories are easy and quick to download so you can utilize them any time and anywhere.
Video Modeling
VIDEO MODELING RESEARCH: Using Video Modeling to Teach Complex Social Sequences to Children with Autism
Nikopoulos, C.K., & Keenan, M. (2007)
The purpose of this study was to determine whether children on the Autism spectrum could be taught complex social sequences such as reciprocal play and social behaviors via video modeling. Short video clips were used to teach children these skills and resulted in rapid changes in behavior. Results indicated that video modeling was effective in building sequences of three behaviors or more without prior training. It was also noted that all of the children were successful in enhancing social initiation skills. A two-month follow-up was done after the study in order to check for generalization of skills. It was found that skills learned during the study were generalized and maintained across different contexts and different individuals.
Our video modeling clips are designed to maximize the learning experience for your child. Based on research, our video clips are very short to capture and sustain your child’s attention. Our video clips focus on building social skills between peers and facilitate appropriate play both alone and with peers.
VIDEO MODELING RESEARCH: A Comparison of Video Modeling with In Vivo Modeling for Teaching Children with Autism
Charlop-Christy, M.H., Le, L., & Freeman, K.A. (2000)
This study sought to compare the effectiveness of both video modeling and in-vivo modeling to teach developmental skills to children with Autism. Video modeling consists of an individual watching a videotape of the models engaging in the target behavior. It is often more cost and time efficient compared to in-vivo modeling. In-vivo modeling requires the individual to watch live models in the environment performing the target behavior. In this study, each child was presented with two similar tasks, which were each presented in video modeling conditions and in-vivo conditions. Results indicated that video modeling lead to children learning the skills demonstrated at a faster and more consistent pace compared to in-vivo modeling. These skills included emotion labeling, play, greetings, social play and daily living skills. After the study was completed, generalization of skills was assessed at follow-up. One of the most interesting findings was that generalization occurred for only those tasks that were taught through video modeling. Skills taught via in-vivo modeling did not demonstrate generalization.
Video modeling is one of the key features of our app. A variety of skills can be taught through video modeling. Generalization of these skills is often a difficult and frustrating thing. With our videos, your child can quickly and easily view them at home or on the go. As a part of AutisMate, we offer free, pre-made videos that take seconds to download on your app. We understand how hectic life can be and this is our way of making both you and your child’s day a little easier.
VIDEO MODELING RESEARCH: Electronic Screen Media for Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Results of a Survey.
Shane, H.C., & Albert, P.D. (2008)
Researchers sent out questionnaires to families with children with Autism to get information about which devises children with Autism preferred to engage in (computer, TV, movies). It was found that when given leisure time, children tend to engage in interaction with the media. It was noted that individuals with ASD have a high preference for visual media and are able to demonstrate strong skills for activating and viewing preferred programs. Parents indicated that their children were able to independently navigate through various electronic devices because of their high level of reinforcement and interest. Lastly, it was found that the majority of children in the study tuned out things in their environment that were unrelated to the movie or TV episode they were watching.
Because AutisMate is an iPad application, children are much more likely to be interested in the app due to its attractiveness as a technological device. AutisMate was also created to be user friendly for you and your child. With AutisMate’s personalization features, your child can be more drawn to the app by inserting images of thing he or she is familiar with or enjoys doing.