Focused Play Using Mr. Potato Head Toys to Improve Spontaneous Speech Production in Children Identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) often have difficulty interacting with peers and adults. One causal factor of these difficulties is limited spontaneous speech in children with ASD. This study investigated the effects of using focused play and Mr. Potato Head(TM) toys implemented with children with ASD. A single-subject design was utilized, analyzing data from three participants. Using the Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts (SALT) software, percentages of one-word utterances and spontaneous utterances of each session were examined and compared to baseline data to determine the effect of intervention on language functioning. A z-test was applied to each pair of sessions for both language functions to determine significance of changes that occurred. Additionally, Brown's Level of Language Functions was determined and compared to baseline data. The results and their implications indicate that focused play with children with ASD may improve their spontaneous speech production.;Key words: Language, ASD, children, spontaneous speech, single-subject design, autism, SALT software.