The Use of Social Stories to Teach Social and Behavioral Skills to Preschool Children with Moderate to Severe Autism

• Main Author: Antle, Michelle Lynne
• Format: Others
• Published: TopSCHOLAR® 2004
• Subjects: Autism; Autistic children > Rehabilitation; Psychology
• Online Access: http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/1097; http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2100&context=theses

Previous research has indicated success using Social Stories with preschoolers with mild levels of autism. The purpose of this study was to determine if Social Stories implemented in the home setting would be effective with preschool children diagnosed with moderate to severe autism. Social Stories were implemented with 3 male preschool-aged participants. Two were classified as in the moderate range and one was in the severe range of autism. A variety of socially inappropriate behaviors were addressed including inappropriate dinnertime behaviors, transitioning to bedtime, and inappropriate touching. Data revealed no significant change in target behaviors (dinnertime behaviors and transitioning to bedtime) exhibited by moderately functioning preschool children. However, data did reveal a decrease in the frequency of inappropriate touching from the child who fell in the severe range of functioning. It is not clear from the current research whether it was the severity level of autism or the types of target behaviors that may have resulted in a lack of success using the Social Story intervention.