The Effects of a Social Story with a Reward to Decrease Off Task and Disruptive Behaviors on a Sixth Grader with Autism
Faculty Sponsor
Jennifer Neyman, Gonzaga University
Research Project Abstract
This study’s purpose evaluated the effects of a social story and reward system on the inappropriate behaviors of a sixth grade student with autism in a resource room. A partial-interval system in a reversal design assessed the levels of off-task and disruptive behaviors across three classroom activities (computer, seatwork, and small group). The intervention consisted of a social story presented in an “if, then” format. The researcher explained to the participant if she performed appropriate behaviors and earned enough good points then she would receive a reward. During the 8 minute session, the researcher approached the participant every 30-seconds and provided her with a point in a correlating column for appropriate or inappropriate behavior. The points were added and the participant received her chosen reward if she reached the necessary number of appropriate behavior points. Across all classroom activities, the number of inappropriate behaviors greatly decreased to near-zero levels.
Session Number
PS2
Location
Graves Gym
Abstract Number
PS2-h
The Effects of a Social Story with a Reward to Decrease Off Task and Disruptive Behaviors on a Sixth Grader with Autism
Graves Gym
This study’s purpose evaluated the effects of a social story and reward system on the inappropriate behaviors of a sixth grade student with autism in a resource room. A partial-interval system in a reversal design assessed the levels of off-task and disruptive behaviors across three classroom activities (computer, seatwork, and small group). The intervention consisted of a social story presented in an “if, then” format. The researcher explained to the participant if she performed appropriate behaviors and earned enough good points then she would receive a reward. During the 8 minute session, the researcher approached the participant every 30-seconds and provided her with a point in a correlating column for appropriate or inappropriate behavior. The points were added and the participant received her chosen reward if she reached the necessary number of appropriate behavior points. Across all classroom activities, the number of inappropriate behaviors greatly decreased to near-zero levels.
