USING VIDEO MODELING TO SUPPORT COMMUNICATION INTENTS FOR AN ADOLESCENT WITH AUTISM

Individuals with autism tend to be devalued because of the Triad of Impairment in which impairment of social communication is one. A lack of understanding regarding the subtle aspects of social communication and interaction can make it difficult for individuals with autism to make friends or get and keep a job. This three-month case study design aims to explore how video modeling can improve communication intents. The subject is a 19- year-old female with autism and mild intellectual disability. The subject uses non-conventional ways to communicate requests and protests. The communication needs and abilities matrix is used to establish the profile of the subject. The social interaction and communication pattern of the subject is analyzed through classroom observation, video record and interviewing of the parents and teachers. Using video modeling, the subject demonstrated the ability to communicate intents of request and protest successfully across two functional settings. Given the preference of individuals with autism for visual stimuli and avoidance of face-to-face attention, video-based instruction is promising in increasing social and adaptive skills. It is hope of this study to inspire and generate interest in teachers and parents to use video modeling to instruct lifelong planning for quality living and societal integration for individuals with autism. Using video modelling to support communication intents for an adolescent with autism