Extending Research on a Computer-Based Sight-Word Reading Intervention to a Student with Autism (original) (raw)
Related papers
Journal of Applied School Psychology, 2012
The authors used a multiple-baseline-across-behaviors (i.e., word lists) design to evaluate a computer-based flashcard intervention on automatic sight-word reading in a 4th-grade student with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. Immediately after the intervention was applied to each of three lists of sight words, the student made rapid gains in her ability to read those words within 2 s. Approximately 8 weeks after the final intervention session, evidence for maintenance and generalization were collected when the student read words learned during the computer-based flashcard procedure that were hand written on index cards, as opposed to displayed on the computer screen. The authors' discussion focuses on the contextual validity (e.g., sustainability, efficiency) of this computer-based intervention.
Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 2011
This study evaluated the effects of a computer-based early reading program, Headsprout®, on accurate reading of word lists and connected text by a student with autism. The dependent measures were four word sets and four short stories that increased in difficulty. In the context of a multiple baseline design, the reading program was associated with improved reading accuracy across the word sets and stories. Data also suggested generalization of word set reading skills. We discuss elements of Headsprout® and implementing computer-based early reading programs with children who have autism. Keywords Computer-based learning. Early literacy. Autism To ensure development of a literate society, it is critical that all children have access to appropriate reading curricula and instruction. Over the years, research has indicated that an emphasis on systematic instruction based on the five core elements of reading (phonemic awareness, alphabetic principle, oral reading fluency, vocabulary, comprehension) is an effective and efficient means for building populations of competent readers (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 2000). Given the current legislative expectations for improving literacy nationwide (No Child Left Behind Act 2001), identifying evidence-based reading curricula and instructional methods for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has become more of a concern.
Brief report: vocabulary acquisition for children with autism: teacher or computer instruction
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2000
This study examined the impact of computers on the vocabulary acquisition of young children with autism. Children's attention, motivation, and learning of words was compared in a behavioral program and an educational software program. The educational software program was designed to parallel the behavioral program, but it added perceptually salient qualities such as interesting sounds and object movement. Children with autism were more attentive, more motivated, and learned more vocabulary in the computer than in the behavioral program. Implications are considered for the development of computer software to teach vocabulary to children who have autism.
Background: For students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), improving reading comprehension is critical for increasing both their opportunities for successful postsecondary experiences including attending college and obtaining meaningful employment. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of a multicomponent reading intervention on the vocabulary and reading outcomes of middle grade students with ASD. Method: We conducted a matched randomized pilot experimental study for students with ASD in grades 3-8 (N = 28) identified by their district personnel as having reading difficulties (i.e., not passing state reading test). An independent researcher matched participants according to symptom severity and reading fluency and then randomly assigned a member of each pair to treatment or comparison condition. Participants in treatment condition were provided 1:1 instruction for 23-30 sessions (M = 27) of 30 min each four to five days per week. Instructional components included (a) vocabulary instruction; (b) fluency with text, and (c) reading comprehension. In this pilot study, data were analyzed using repeated measures multilevel models in HLM 7. Due to the associated low statistical power to detect effects, the small sample size, and the exploratory nature of the study, we selected an alpha level of 0.10. Data were modeled as student-level variables classifying students based on their ASD symptomology from mild (level 1) to severe (level 3). Results: The multicomponent intervention was associated with significant gains in WJ-PC scores of 22.62 (se = 8.19, df = 3, p = .070) for students at GARS severity level 1. Significant gains favoring the intervention were also detected on vocabulary score of 10.19 (se = 2.78, df = 3, p = .035) and for students rated at GARS severity level 1 and for students rated at GARS severity level 2 [vocabulary score 5.46 (se = 1.60, df = 3, p = .042)]. Significant effects were not detected for scores on a standardized measure of reading and fluency (TOSREC), and a researcher-developed measure of reading comprehension. Conclusions: This pilot study shows enough promise to warrant future studies employing larger sample sizes and fully powered randomized control trial (RCT) studies. Although growth is modest and appears to be limited to participants who are in the mid to higher range of the autism spectrum, considering the large percentage of students with ASD in the mid to higher range, this study contributes to the development of evidence-based practices. We interpret the findings as having implications for future research with larger sample sizes and in providing initial guidance on instruction for consideration by practitioners.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1995
This paper reports on the effect of using an interactive and child-initiated microcomputer program (Alpha) when teaching three groups of children fN = 30) reading and communications skills: (a) 11 children with autism fM chronological age, CA = 9:4 years), (b) 9 children with mixed handicaps (M CA = 13:1), and (c) 10 normal preschool children (M CA = 6:4 years). Their mental age varied from 5:8 years to 6:9 years and all children received computer instruction supplementary to their regular reading and writing '
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2013
This paper presents a systematic review of relevant published studies on reading comprehension for children with autism, focusing on vocabulary instruction and text comprehension instruction from years 2000 to 2011. This systematic review attempts to address three specific research questions: strategies of vocabulary instruction and text comprehension instruction used, computer-based intervention (CBI) used or developed during study, and the effectiveness of using CBI for teaching children with autism. There are five strategies of vocabulary instruction and seven strategies of text comprehension instruction. Results indicate that two strategies of vocabulary instruction, multimedia methods and explicit instruction were found to be more commonly used than the other three. On the same note, question answering strategy of text comprehension instruction was discovered to be used more often than the other six. Results also indicate that children with autism can benefit from the strategies of reading comprehension and that the use of CBI as a mode of instruction for reading comprehension improved learning of children. This is clearly evident judging from the performance of children between pre-tests and post-tests of studies in which CBI was used. However, due to heterogeneity of participants, this is not always the case; a few studies reported no improvement in the learning of children with autism.
Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilitites
Children with autism are at-risk for poor literacy outcomes and have the right to learn literacy skills. Despite this, students with autism often may be perceived as not ready for literacy instruction. This study focused on teaching alphabet skills to young children with autism. Two instructional conditions were compared, traditional teacher-led group instruction that used alphabet books and multimedia computer-assisted instruction. Data were compared to determine the effects on alphabetic skills acquisition and maintenance. The effects on student attentive behavior and engagement in problem behavior in each intervention condition also were compared. Results indicated that both interventions were effective for improving and maintaining student alphabet recognition skills. In both intervention groups, the children had high rates of attention to task and low rates of undesirable behavior. Directions for future research as well as conclusions regarding the design of literacy interventi...
Universal Access in the Information Society, 2019
This paper presents a systematic review of the literature on the modalities used in computer-based interventions (CBIs) and the impact of using these interventions in the learning, generalisation, and maintenance of language comprehension and decoding skills for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ending with an appraisal of the certainty of evidence. Despite the importance of both skills in the reading comprehension and overall learning, a limited number of studies have been found. These include seven studies on language comprehension and seven studies on decoding. The shortlisted studies were analysed and a very limited number of modalities were found to have been used; text, graphics, audio, video, and mouse movement are used in all the studies and are termed basic modalities. Statistical analysis was also conducted on three parameters: (1) outcome of the study; (2) generalisation; and (3) maintenance. The analysis showed that CBIs were effective in facilitating these children's learning; there was a significant improvement in the performance of children from the baseline to during and the post-intervention period. The analysis of generalisation has revealed positive results, indicating that the children were able to transfer information to a different setting or situation. Positive results are also noted from the analysis of maintenance, which indicate that the children retained information following the withdrawal of intervention. The combination of teachers' instructions and CBI has provided better results than using either of them separately. This study has discovered 23 potential modalities and 2 potential CBIs including serious games and virtual learning environments that can be explored for language comprehension and decoding skills.