Autism & PDD Reasoning & Problem Solving

Transcription

1

2 Autism & PDD Reasoning & Problem Solving Skills Ages Grades n problem solving, predicting, sequencing, n 3-7 n PreK-2 cause & effect, comparing, language Evidence-Based Practice Stories about specific social situations help students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) understand and respond to similar social situations appropriately (Kouch & Mirenda, 2003). Therapy aimed at fostering the development of age-appropriate communication skills and age/ability-appropriate language comprehension and language use will improve the child s level of functioning (Taylor-Goh, 2005). The individualized education plan (IEP) should address the following issues that apply to students with ASD: attention, imitation, communication, socialization, cognition (including problem solving and reasoning), and essential life skills (Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, 2011). Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) has a positive effect on the learning process of young children who learn better with pictures and sounds (Vernadakis, Avgerinos, Tsitskari, & Zachopoulou, 2005) LinguiSystems, Inc. LinguiSystems, Inc th Avenue East Moline, IL FAX: service@linguisystems.com Web: linguisystems.com All of our products are copyrighted to protect the fine work of our authors. This CD is for your individual and instructional use only. Copying is prohibited, except for making a single backup copy. Installing or storing this program on a network for use by multiple professionals is also prohibited, unless each user owns a copy. Printed in the U.S.A. ISBN

3 Introduction Autism & PDD Reasoning & Problem Solving Interactive Software allows students with limited language skills to work independently on the skills of solving a problem, cause and effect, sequencing, predicting, and comparing. The animation and sound effects hold students interest while the simple, open-ended response structure encourages selfmonitoring. The spoken word along with the text helps develop reading skills. Choosing the correct response among those given reinforces the skill of responding to multiplechoice questions. You can introduce the software individually or in small groups. Autism & PDD Reasoning & Problem Solving Interactive Software is appropriate for students who are able to use the computer, up to about age seven, depending on the interest level and ability of the child. Using the Program Use this software with children who have autism, PDD, Down syndrome, or other developmental speech and language delays, and for language development in preschool programs. Introduce the stories over a period of time. It is possible to spend several therapy sessions using one story as part of your lesson. When introducing a story, point to and name each choice before the child chooses his answer. Use the cursor to point to each word as the narrator says it. Help the child point to each word in the answer as the narrator says it.

4 After the child has completed a story several times, pause after the narrator has read a question so the child can say the correct answer before he clicks on the symbol. Eventually, the child may be able to say the entire answer to the question on his own. Program Features The Random feature allows you to randomly mix the order of screens in a book. If the button says Turn Random On, the random feature is off and the screens of the books will be shown in their original order. If the button says Turn Random Off, the random feature is on and the program will randomly mix the screens. To turn the random feature on or off, simply click once on this button. When the Main Menu screen appears, click on the story you wish to open. You will hear the name of the story and a short directive that tells you how to play. Then the program will go to the first screen of the story. Screens automatically advance after students choose a correct response. The program automatically returns to the Main Menu after the last screen of each story. Click on the text to repeat the question. Click on the circular arrow in the top, right-hand corner to repeat the screen. Click on the Back and Forward arrows at the bottom of the screen to move back or forward through the screens. Click on Main Menu to return to the Main Menu. Click on Quit to exit the program. You will receive the prompt Are you sure you want to quit? Click on Yes.

5 Installation No installation is required. Just insert the CD-ROM in your computer s CD-ROM drive. Windows: If the presentation does not start automatically within 10 to 15 seconds, double-click the file named Buddy Bear.exe on the CD-ROM to run the application. Macintosh: Double-click the file named Buddy Bear.exe on the CD-ROM to run the application. Minimum System Requirements MAC OS10+ Windows XP or Vista

6 Evidence-Based Practice References Kouch, H., & Mirenda, P. (2003). Social story interventions for young children with autism spectrum disorders. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 18, Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council: Ohio Autism Task Force (2011). Service guidelines for individuals with autism spectrum disorders through the lifespan. Retrieved June 17, 2011, from Service_Guidelines.pdf Taylor-Goh, S. (2005). Royal college of speech & language therapists: Clinical guidelines. United Kingdom: Speechmark. Vernadakis, N., Avgerinos, A., Tsitskari, E., & Zachopoulou, E. (2005, October). The use of computer assisted instruction in preschool education: Making teaching meaningful. Early Childhood Education Journal, 33(2),