Playing isn't just for the kids: The Effects of Video Modeling on Adult Play Behavior

Abstract

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder lack appropriate play skills. To provide quality care to these children, practitioners who work with these children should be versed in how to play. The researchers for the current study used a multiple baseline design across stimulus sets. A pre-experimental assessment, naturalistic generalization probe, and a toy generalization probe were conducted prior to baseline. The baseline phase demonstrated the participant’s performance in playing with a confederate researcher. Task clarification represented the participant’s performance in playing with a confederate researcher after a verbal prompt to play more. The researchers implemented video modeling to increase the frequency of participants’ play behaviors and vocalizations during play. Results were not robust and the researchers discuss implications, limitations, and future directions for further research. Post-test probes included a naturalistic generalization probe, toy generalization probe, and 6 week maintenance probe.