Parent-Implemented Video Self-Management Targeting Nonverbal Pragmatics in Children with Autism

Parent-Implemented Video Self --Management Targeting Nonverbal Pragmatics in Children with Autism by Katherine JoAnne Levinger Social deficits are considered a primary symptom of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This includes difficulties with pragmatics and social conversation. Many individuals with ASD display inappropriate nonverbal pragmatic behavior when engaging in social conversation about typical, age --appropriate topics. The current study employed a multiple baseline design across participants to assess the effects of a parent --implemented video self --management intervention to improve a child's nonverbal pragmatic behavior and reciprocal responding during social conversation. The study also assessed whether the intervention would result in collateral gains in parent affect and confidence, child affect, and parent --child synchronous engagement. Results indicated that the intervention was associated with increased percentages of appropriate nonverbal pragmatic behavior, as well as increased percentages of reciprocal responding, during social conversation. Collateral gains also occurred in child affect, parent affect and confidence, and parent --child synchronous engagement. Additionally, gains associated with the intervention generalized to new conversational partners and maintained over time.