ERIC Number: EJ1468841
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-May
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: EISSN-1573-3432
Available Date: 2024-04-12
Effects of a Teacher-Facilitated Peer-Mediated Intervention on Social Play of Preschoolers with Autism
Megan P. Fedewa1; Laci Watkins2; Kameron Carden3; Glenda Grbac4
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v55 n5 p1595-1614 2025
Children with autism often display differences in functional and symbolic play and may experience barriers to social inclusion with peers in preschool settings. Therefore, interventions supporting social play between children with autism and their peers that can be feasibly implemented by teachers in inclusive settings are needed. A teacher-implemented peer-mediated Stay Play Talk (SPT; Goldstein et al. in Top Lang Disord 27(2):182-199, 2007) intervention package targeting the type of play children with autism engage in with peers was implemented using a concurrent multiple baseline design across four participant/peer dyads. Using a cascading coaching model with behavioral skills training, a teacher was trained in intervention strategies and then taught and supported four peers to implement the intervention. In addition to visual analysis, to statistically analyze effects, we calculated effect sizes using the parametric measure standardized mean difference. A functional relation between the intervention and increases in interactive play and initiations and decreases in solitary play was demonstrated across all dyads. Results generalized to novel settings and maintained following withdrawal of teacher support. Results suggest that SPT can be effectively implemented by a teacher to support interactive play between children with and without autism in an inclusive classroom. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
Descriptors: Students with Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Play, Barriers, Peer Relationship, Preschool Children, Preschool Education, Intervention, Teacher Role, Behavior Modification, Program Effectiveness, Interaction
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1The University of Alabama, Department of Special Education and Multiple Abilities, College of Education, Tuscaloosa, USA; 2Texas A&M University, Department of Educational Psychology, College Station, USA; 3The University of Alabama, Department of Psychology, Tuscaloosa, USA; 4Community Partner, Birmingham, USA