Defining Success for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Social Academic Behavior in General Education Secondary Classes

An exploratory, observation-based study sought to strengthen understanding of the development of social communication skills that facilitate academic success, particularly within general education settings. Sixteen middle and high school students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), all of whom participated in at least one period per day of core academic instruction in a general education classroom, were observed over a period of one to three months each. Frequencies of five appropriate and three inappropriate social academic behaviors are described, in terms of their relative frequencies to one another, and their overall consistency over the course of observations. Students observed were more likely to engage in appropriate, facilitative behaviors within the classroom setting than they were to demonstrate communicative symptoms of ASD. Most social academic behaviors were demonstrated at consistent frequencies over time. Implications for educational decision-making, progress monitoring, and future research are discussed

Analyzing Math-to-Mastery through Brief Experimental Analysis

The current study evaluated the effectiveness of individualized math-to-mastery (MTM) interventions, selected though brief experimental analysis (BEA), at increasing math fluency skills for 3 elementary-aged females. As MTM has only been investigated as a multicomponent intervention, the present study utilized BEA to identify those specific components which led to math skills gains in the most efficient manner possible. BEA results indicated that for 2 of 3 participants only a partial MTM intervention was necessary to prompt fluency gains, while the entire intervention was the most effective for the third. During extended analysis all 3 participants displayed math skills gains above those seen during repeated baseline assessments. Results are discussed in terms of further refining MTM through BEA procedures so as to individually target math skill deficits by considering both intervention effectiveness and efficiency

A Qualitative Metasynthesis of Consultation Process Research: What We Know and Where to Go

Qualitative metasynthesis (QM) is a research methodology that permits the meaningful integration and interpretation of qualitative research. This study applies a QM approach combined with constructivist grounded theory methods, bolstered by several features of research credibility, to examine the state of consultee-centered consultation (CCC) and related relational, process-oriented school consultation research. A systematic search and retrieval process including two rounds of appraisal resulted in a final sample of 38 relevant studies from 1995 to 2014. Data analyses included two stages of coding/ theme development. Integrated themes suggest a number of considerations regarding consultation implementation including: system-level factors; consultation structure; consultee voice, social-emotional support, and learning; ecological orientation and cultural responsiveness; and consultation training. Future research priorities stemming from these themes are identified and elaborated upon, as are future applications for QM in educational research

Descriptive Analysis Of Classroom Setting Events On The Social Behaviors Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are characterized by extreme deficits in social relatedness with same-age peers. The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify naturally occurring antecedent variables (i.e., setting events) in the classroom environments of children with ASD that promoted their engagement in peer-related social behaviors. Over a 12-week period, seven preschool-aged children were individually observed an average of 3.4 - 5.9 hours across the following classroom setting events: (a) contexts with varying peer group sizes, (b) contexts in which the adult or child directed the activities, and (c) contexts with varying levels of teacher engagement. Results based on a continuous, sequential behavioral coding system showed that for the majority of participants; small group sizes, child directed activities, and limited teacher engagement most influenced the occurrence of target children\u27s social behaviors. Implications of this study to practice are addressed. © Division on Developmental Disabilities