The Effectiveness of Video Modeling versus Direct Instruction for Teaching Gestural Communication to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This is a quasi-experimental multiple baseline of behavior research study that compared the effectiveness of video modeling versus direct instruction for teaching gestural communication skills to children with autism spectrum disorder. There are two targeted gestures that were taught using these teaching methods; they are a protodeclarative point for a desired object and a headshake no for refusal/protest for a non-desired object. The results of the study indicated that there is a difference between the acquisition rates of a protodeclarative point and headshake for refusal/protest based on the instruction method used. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]