The Effects of Physical Activity and Regular Activities on Student On-Task Behavior for Students with Autism
Date
2017
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Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of physical activity and
regular activities on student on-task behavior for students with autism. The sample
consisted of a male student, age 11, with autism from a selected intermediate school. The
target behaviors of the study were responding appropriately when given assignments,
appropriate interactions with students and teachers, following directions, and
participation in classroom activities. Data were collected through observations and
interventions using ABAB design. A baseline was established after one week of
observations. An intervention using physical activity, twice a day for 30 minutes each
session, was introduced for one week and target behaviors were examined and results
tallied. During the following week, the interventions were withdrawn and target
behaviors were examined and results tallied. The intervention, was again, introduced
after one week of withdrawn. The target behaviors were observed and results tallied.
The results indicated a significant difference in the student's on-task behavior before and
after interventions as measured by the number of times the student was not on target. The
results suggest that the use of physical activity for increasing on-task behavior is beneficial
to students that have autism.
Description
Master of Education (M.Ed.) Thesis
Keywords
Physical activity, Activities, On-task behavior, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Master of Education (M.Ed.) Thesis