ABSTRACT

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of computer activity scheduling(CAS) on increasing initiation behavior in a child with autism aged 3.5 years.Methods : The participant’s developmental level was assessed around 2 years old. His behavior problems were characterized by disruptive, inattentive, running around, noncompliant behaviors, and absence of initiation in performing a task. He never initiated either a toy play or a task given to him unless he was forced to do with physical prompt, although he could perform the task. A computer activity scheduling was used as an intervention to increase his initiation behavior. However, data on following directions and task performance were collected to see side effects of the CAS intervention besides the initiation behavior. The computer activity scheduling with 11 play pictures was composed of the following 7 steps: Step 1 to click page turner, Step 2 to click activity picture, Step 3 to watch play pictures , Step 4 to obtain materials for the play, Step 5 to engage in the play activity, Step 6 to put things away, and Step 7 to return to click page turner. The CAS was implemented 2 times a week for 8 weeks. Dependent variables were ‘initiating to perform 7 given tasks’, ‘following simple directions’, and ‘working on Grooved Pegboard’.Results : The performance rate of computer activity scheduling with success was 87.5%. The higher the CAS performance rate was, the higher the following directions, task performance, and self initiation behaviors occurred. After the CAS intervention, the following direction was increased by 46.9%(range = 26.7～73.6%). the task performance by 48.3%(range = 12～60.3%), and self initiation by 40%(29～69%).Conclusion : The results revealed that the CAS was effective in teaching an initiation behavior for task performance in a child with autism and might be applicable to teaching self help skills to a child with autism at home as well as in a clinical setting.