The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of social stories on decreasing the disruptive behaviors of children with autism. Social stories were created for three participants, ages 7 and 9, to decrease three target disruptive behaviors, using a loud voice in class, chair tipping, and cutting in lunch line. Using a multiple-baseline across participants design, social stories were implemented, and direct observations of participants' target behaviors were conducted three times per week. The present study findings suggest that the use of properly constructed social stories without additional behavioral management interventions may be effective in decreasing the disruptive behaviors of children with autism.

The present study evaluated the effectiveness of the First Step to Success (FSS) early intervention program with Turkish children identified with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Intervention effectiveness on target children’s academic engagement behaviors was studied. Participants were four 7-year-old first-grade students in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. The design was a single-subject, multiple-baseline, across-groups design. Findings from the study revealed that all target children displayed increased levels of academic engagement behaviors with the introduction of the FSS program and at 3 months’ follow-up. However, follow-up data at 2 years indicated that although three students continued to display high levels of academic engagement behavior, one student did not catch up to these levels of performance. Limitations are discussed and implications for future research are presented.

The purpose of this study was to examine the perspectives of parents of children with autism regarding their experiences about their children's diagnosis and services that they receive in the areas of special education, health and personal needs. The participants of the study were 50 parents who were the primary caregivers of children with autism. A qualitative research method was used in the study. Semi-structured interview questions were developed and study data were analyzed using interpretive content analysis technique. Major research findings were presented under four themes: 1) time difference between the recognition of children's developmental differences and medical diagnosis, 2) assessment limitations experienced during the clinical diagnosis, 3) lack of support services for parental needs, and 4) collaboration problems among the various special education services. The findings of the study were discussed and implications for practice were provided.

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