Naturalistic Teaching Strategies in Children With Autism
Condition: Autism Spectrum Disorder
MeSH terms: Autistic Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The study will show the effect of naturalistic teaching strategies and picture exchange
      communication systems in children with an autism spectrum disorder. There will be two groups
      in this study. One control group and the other experimental group.

      One group will be provided with the naturalistic teaching strategies and pecs therapy both
      and the other group will be provided with the PECS therapy. The research will be conducted
      within the duration of six months after the approval from BASR.

      The two groups will be first assessed using the portage early education program and pecs
      manual. After 20 sessions of respective therapeutic techniques, both of the groups will be
      reassessed. The results of both of the groups will be then compared and conclusions will be
      drawn.
    

Detailed description: 
      The Naturalistic Teaching approach is both adaptive and reactive to the needs of the kids
      with autism. Its methods are designed to be incorporated into the routines of children with
      an autism spectrum disorder. The naturalistic methods are intended to mimic the natural
      instructions a child receives in a variety of contexts.

      PictureExchange Communication System (PECS) is a unique communication training program that
      was developed as a means of evading some shortcomings associated with these strategies. Many
      individuals with autism are candidates for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
      systems, either to supplement (i.e., augment) their existing speech or to act as their
      primary (i.e., alternative) method of expressive communication. Presently, aided,
      picture-based AAC systems are used more frequently and successfully with individuals with
      ASD. PECS consists of six phases and begins by teaching an individual to give a single
      picture of a desired item or action to a "communicative partner" who immediately honors the
      exchange as a request.
    

Intervention name(s): Effect of Naturalistic Teaching Strategies in Children with autism spectrum disorder; PECS Therapy only
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): In this group, the patients will be provided with both the naturalistic therapeutic techniques the PECS Therapy.
A baseline of the kids in this group will be made using the portage guide and PECS
Incidental teaching trial, natural language paradigm, and time delay concepts will be incorporated in the therapy sessions and communication using picture cards will be made.
40 minutes session will be conducted in which 20 minutes session will be for naturalistic teaching techniques and 20 minutes will be for PECS.
This will be followed for 30 sessions; A baseline will be developed using the portage guide and PECS.
Communication strategies using the PECS picture cards will be made
30 minutes session will be conducted
This will be followed for 30 sessions
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment