Using a Video Activity Schedule to Teach Cooperative Games to Autistic Children in a Camp Setting

Abstract

Video activity schedules are a combination of video modeling and activity schedules that teach a singular task or a series of tasks to be completed. Instead of a sequence of pictures, videos demonstrate to the learner what is expected to be done. Research has focused heavily on using video activity schedules to teach daily living or vocational skills; however, there is a lack of research on using video activity schedules to teach play skills. In this study, a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across participants was used to evaluate the effect of a video activity schedule to teach four dyads of autistic children how to play cooperative games during a summer day camp. Results indicate that all participants learned how to play the game, including during generalization and maintenance probes. A limitation within the study was a lack of data collected for social communication and social validity. Future research should collect social communication data and/or other measures like indices of happiness (e.g., smiling, laughing, etc.).