The Effect of a motor‐based, social skills intervention for adolescents with high‐functioning autism: two single‐subject design cases

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a motor-based, social skills intervention for two adolescents with high-functioning autism (HFA) using single-subject design. A description of the intervention is provided as a first step in the manualization process. The intervention was provided as a 7-week after-school program, once weekly to the paired participants. Intervention consisted of role-play methods in which motor behaviours were linked with their cognitive and emotional meanings. Baseline, intervention and 3-month probe data collection periods were carried out and then compared using visual inspection of graphed data, paired t-tests and a three-standard-deviation-band approach. Both participants displayed a statistically significant increase in targeted social skills behaviours from baseline to intervention and maintained this level at a 3-month post-intervention probe. These single-subject design cases illustrate that motor-based, social skills interventions may be effective for adolescents with HFA and warrant further testing.

Pilot study: Computer-based virtual anatomical interactivity for rehabilitation of individuals with chronic acquired brain injury

“…This study also addressed the concerns of Gutman et al related to the cognitive demand of computer-based motor intervention [13]. Most participants demonstrated significant improvement in executive functioning skills.…”

“…Mirror neurons may underlie the basis for how humans learn to connect motor behavior with cognitive and emotional intention [11][12]. For example, Gutman et al stated, "mirror neurons may allow us to see a motor behavior and link it to the cognitive and emotional intention of the performer" [13].…”

“…Research associated with computer-based intervention incorporating mirror therapy, mental imagery, and mental practice has been conducted primarily in the pediatric setting and is limited. In addition, no studies were found that considered the assumptions of Gutman et al [13] that a strong cognitive demand is present as participants consider the intent and purpose of movement. Therefore, the pilot study described herein sought to measure both motor recovery and cognitive enhancement of an adult population in the chronic stage of recovery from ABI.…”

ASD intervention research in real world contexts: Refining single case designs

“…The inclusion of a probe phase (Finnigan & Starr, 2010;Gutman, et al, 2010), in which we resumed the repeated observation after a break, provided an option for long-term follow up of the target behavior. A probe phase maintains the integrity of the repeated measurement, by extending the period over which outcomes are measured.…”

The methodology and efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy, occupational therapy, and speech/language therapy: A critical review

“…Motor-based interventions are also an important OT technique as it has been proposed that autistics might have a deficiency in their mirror neuron systems, which monitor the appropriate motor, social and emotional responses to performing an action or perceiving others perform an action. Single-subject studies have, in fact, shown an overall improvement in social and emotional skills and behaviours after the introduction of a motor-based social skills intervention 27,28 . Even physical activities such as yoga have been shown to have a significant improvement in social and challenging behaviours in autistic individuals 29 .…”