Comparison of Live Modeling and Video Modeling on Teaching Symbolic Plays to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Small Groups

Introduction: It is suggested in literature there is a need for interventions in developing symbolic play behaviors of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the effectiveness of various methods are examined. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness and efficiency of live modeling and video modeling on teaching symbolic plays to children with autism spectrum disorder in small groups. Method: This study employed an adaptive alternating treatments design. The independent variables were live video modeling and video modeling presented in small group instruction. Also, the dependent variables were the symbolic play behaviors of acting as a waiter and as a barber. Findings: The research findings demonstrated that both live modeling and video modeling presented in small group instruction were effective in acquisition, maintenance, and generalization of symbolic plays of children with autism spectrum disorder. Video modeling was more effective than live modeling for acquisition; live modeling was more effective than video modeling for maintenance; and there was no difference between the methods for generalization. Discussion: Although it is known that children with ASD have impairments especially in playing symbolic play, it was planned to teach two games in the research, and the program was taught to learn with a video modeling and a live modeling program to teach small group instruction. Learning how to play the symbolic play of the vehicle with the autism spectrum disorder through a search in the process in question serves the purpose of the research. This purpose has been discussed in a way to include the results, and suggestions have been made for future research.