The objective of this study was to examine how a visually support intervention based on functional assessment affects the challenging behavior of preschoolers with autistic disorder. For this study, we sampled 3 preschoolers with autistic disorder. In...
The objective of this study was to examine how a visually support intervention based on functional assessment affects the challenging behavior of preschoolers with autistic disorder. For this study, we sampled 3 preschoolers with autistic disorder. In order to assess the exact function of challenging behavior in the children, we conducted functional assessment through interviews, direct observation, and functional analysis, and then based on the results, we applied a visual support behavioral intervention including multiple factors.
Adopting the multiple baseline design across subjects, this study used baseline, intervention, and follow?]up tests, and the children were assessed by the partial interval recording method through 15 minutes?f observation during the story sharing time in each session among early education tasks. During the baseline period, they were allowed to use the usual method in the early education class, and during the intervention period, they participated in the behavioral intervention using visually support including antecedents?]based intervention, alternative behavior instruction, and consequences intervention. After two weeks from the end of the intervention, the effect of the intervention was tested again in the same environment as that on the baseline.
The results of this study were as follows.
First, in all of the three preschoolers with autistic disorder, the visual support behavioral intervention based on functional assessment decreased challenging behavior significantly.
Second, in all of the three preschoolers with autistic disorder, the visual support behavioral intervention based on functional assessment increased activity participation behavior significantly.
This study has meanings as follows.
First, as it examined the function of challenging behavior through functional assessment and applied an intervention in accordance with the function, the intervention reduced challenging behavior positively without aversive stimuli.
Second, as the intervention utilizes the visual strength of preschoolers with autistic disorder, it is useful and easily applicable as a strategy for managing the behavior of preschoolers with autistic disorder.