iPad-presented social stories for young children with autism

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the effectiveness of iPad-presented social stories in increasing the on-task behaviour of three young children with autism.

Method: A single-subject with multiple baseline across participants design was employed with three 4-year-old children to assess intervention effectiveness during structured table top activities. Observational data were digitally recorded, scored, graphed, and interpreted using 10-second interval measures over 5-min periods across baseline, intervention, and withdrawal phases.

Results: The combination of the social story together with the iPad proved to be an effective intervention for one of the three child participants. These findings confirm that the intervention may be effective with some children, but not others.

Conclusion: Overall, this study builds on existing research that supports social stories as a promising practice. Further research into the use of iPad-presented social stories, particularly for children of varying ages, abilities, and learning styles is recommended.

• Autism
• iPad
• social stories
• single subject design

Acknowledgements

Sincere thanks are extended to AEIOU Foundation staff for their assistance in this research and also to participating children and their families who made this research possible.

Declaration of interest

The authors declared that they have no financial or non-financial conflicts of interests with respect to the publication of this research article.