Effect of a brief online shared reading ıntervention to support communication skills of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Shared interactive book reading (SIBR) is an evidence-based practice for young children with developmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children with ASD can benefit from structured activities such as SIBR, especially when they are supported by their parents. During SIBR, parents can support their children’s language and communication skills by engaging with them around a storybook. Parents can create opportunities for communication by commenting on the story, asking a question, and pointing at the pictures. In the current telepractice (internet-based) study, three parents and three children with ASD participated in the study. In a single-case multiple-baseline across subjects design, parents were trained to use expectant pause and mand-model strategy with their children. Parents’ frequency in use of the strategies increased during intervention. All three children increased their initiating and responding behaviors upon their parents’ use of strategies.