Evaluation of Video Modeling and In Situ Training to Teach Firearm Avoidance Skills to Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Research has shown that children typically engage in gunplay behaviors if they find a firearm. These behaviors can lead to injuries and even death, especially for young children. Research has shown the success of video modeling for teaching various skills to individuals with autism. This study examined the effectiveness of video modeling for teaching firearm avoidance skills to three children with autism spectrum disorder and found that video modeling was effective for one participant, but in situ training (IST) was needed to promote maintenance. For a second participant, IST was effective for skill acquisition and maintenance. Finally, a modified IST procedure was effective for a third participant when implemented by a trainer but not when implemented by his mother.

Evaluation of Video Modeling to Teach Children Diagnosed with Autism to Avoid Poison Hazards

“…Second, this study is consistent with Morgan and Miltenberger (2017) in demonstrating that video modeling was not effective in teaching children diagnosed with ASD to avoid a physical safety threat. Although video modeling has been shown to be effective in teaching a variety of appropriate behaviors and ways to respond to social interactions, such as abduction lures, it may not be effective in teaching children how to respond to physical items that pose a threat (CarrollRowan and Miltenberger 1994;Gunby et al 2010;Poche et al 1988).…”

“…Videos This study included three videos (5 to 6 min each) the researchers made based on the research of Morgan and Miltenberger (2017). Each of the three videos included six scenarios showing a child model coming into contact with a poison hazard (pills), engaging in the target behaviors, and receiving praise from an adult for engaging in the target behaviors.…”

“…The results of Godish et al (2017) and Morgan and Miltenberger (2017) show that for children diagnosed with ASD, video modeling was effective for teaching safety skills associated with a social safety threat (an abduction lure), but was not effective for teaching safety skills related to a physical safety threat (guns). More research should be conducted with video modeling to evaluate the specific safety threats, behaviors, and populations for which it is effective in teaching safety skills.…”

“…Recent studies have also evaluated video modeling exclusively and video modeling combined with other active learning procedures for teaching safety skills to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Godish et al 2017;Gunby et al 2010;Morgan and Miltenberger 2017). Godish et al (2017) used video modeling to teach abduction prevention skills to four children (ages 7-8) diagnosed with ASD.…”

“…All the participants engaged in the target behaviors following video modeling, although BST and IST were needed for one participant during the follow-up assessments. Morgan and Miltenberger (2017) tested the effectiveness of video modeling to teach firearm avoidance skills to three 6 year olds diagnosed with ASD. Video modeling was only effective for one participant, however, and the other two acquired the three target behaviors (do not touch, leave the room, and tell an adult) following IST implemented by a parent.…”