Social Outcomes of a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder Following a Listening Protocol

Abstract

ABSTRACT Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents with a variety of symptoms. More common symptoms present as sensory processing disturbances, social communication, behavioral issues, and motor impairments. This study aimed to determine if the Safe and Sound Listening Protocol© used to accompany occupational therapy intervention is an effective approach to elicit self-regulatory skills within social communication. A single-subject ABAB study design with a 20-month-old child with moderate ASD received the Safe and Sound listening program protocol for a total of 12 weeks on the protocol (A1, A2) and 12 weeks off the protocol (B1, B2). A three-month post measure was taken to determine the sustainability of the results. This study found changes within the social communication in the categories of language, facial expression, listening, emotional regulation, and behavior at every phase of the ABAB study including the three-month posttest phase. This was a 12-week study with one participant. The parent assisted in data collection possibly compromising the validity of the results due to possible subjective contributions during the data collecting. Results of this study indicate that this listening protocol combined with other interventions may help in improving the social communication and behavioral skills of a child with moderate ASD.