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Using Time-delay to Improve Social Play Skills with Peers for Children with Autism

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Abstract

Interventions that teach social communication and play skills are crucial for the development of children with autism. The time delay procedure is effective in teaching language acquisition, social use of language, discrete behaviors, and chained activities to individuals with autism and developmental delays. In this study, three boys with autism, attending a non-public school, were taught play activities that combined a play sequence with requesting peer assistance, using a graduated time delay procedure. A multiple-baseline across subjects design demonstrated the success of this procedure to teach multiple-step social play sequences. Results indicated an additional gain of an increase in pretend play by one of the participants. Two also demonstrated a generalization of the skills learned through the time delay procedure.

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Acknowledgements

This study was conducted as part of a thesis project in the Charter College of Education in the Division of Special Education and Counseling at California State University, Los Angeles. We would like to acknowledge the participant children, their peers, families and teachers who participated in this study. Your participation may help many students with autism to improve social interactions with peers. Also, we appreciate the Director of the school programs for granting us permission to conduct the study in her setting and staff who assisted with data collection.

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Author notes

  1. William D. Frea

    Present address: Autism Spectrum Therapies, Southern California, USA

  2. Daniella B. Liber

    Present address: Julia Ann Singer Therapeutic School, Vista del Mar Child and Family Services, Culver City, CA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Daniella B. Liber

  2. Division of Special Education and Counseling, California State University, Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA

    Jennifer B. G. Symon

  3. Autism Training Programs, California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    William D. Frea & Jennifer B. G. Symon

Authors
  1. Daniella B. Liber
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  2. William D. Frea
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  3. Jennifer B. G. Symon
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Correspondence to Jennifer B. G. Symon.

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Liber, D.B., Frea, W.D. & Symon, J.B.G. Using Time-delay to Improve Social Play Skills with Peers for Children with Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 38, 312–323 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-007-0395-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-007-0395-z

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