Efficacy of Digital Social Stories among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder during the Global Pandemic: COVID-19

Abstract

The outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome has changed every day to day activity. The closure of schools and work places are affecting the normalcy of people’s life. Reopening of schools is still a distant dream as containing the spread of this virus is near to impossible. One significant aftermath of this pandemic that has impacted children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (hereafter CwASD) more than others is not able to cooperate as they have severe difficulty in coping with change in the regular routine. Therefore, a variety of evidence based interventions are used for teaching them through Verbal Behaviour Intervention, Play therapy, Relationship Development Interventions, Social stories etc. Traditionally Social stories are used in a one-to-one conversation between the instructor and the child, but now the physical presence and one-to-one conversation is impossible during this pandemic so, in this research study the researchers have experimented with four digitalized social stories: 1. Wearing masks, 2. Washing Hands, 3. Do’s and 4. Don’ts using social media (Whatsapp) to impart certain social concepts and skills that are need of the hour. Theme wise prepared interventional visuals used in the study give the data showing significant difference in all the four key aspects. The researchers assert that Digital Social Stories do open vista not only for children with ASD but also for all children with special needs if provided in an accessible manner.