Using Video Modeling to Increase Variation in the Conversation of Children with Autism

The present study assessed the effects of video modeling on acquisition and generalization of variation in the conversational speech of two boys with autism. A video was made showing several versions of several topics of conversation, thus providing multiple exemplars of each conversation. Video modeling consisted of showing each child a video depicting the various versions of the target conversation. A multiple baseline design across children and within child was used. Generalization across setting, peer with autism, typically developing peer, sibling at home, and topics of conversation were assessed. Ancillary measures of question-asking and other social behaviors were taken in free play sessions. The results indicated that both subjects increased variation in their conversation as a result of video modeling, as measured both within conversation and cumulatively across conversations.