Effects Of Applied Behavior Modification On The Mathematical Learning Of Children With Autism
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Date
2015-08
Authors
SIEW LOOI, TEAW
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Abstract
The importance of using positive reinforcement in promoting a desired
behavior or addressing behavioral challenges in children with autism has been
established in the literature. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness
of positive reinforcement on the mathematical learning behavior of children with
autism. The present study also examined the influence of positive reinforcement on
the efforts to complete tasks and the reduction of disruptive and challenging autistic
behaviors. Twenty children with autism participated in this study. An observation
that generated quantitative and qualitative data was conducted to examine the effect
of positive reinforcement. There were ten sessions of observation in the study, with
three different phases: baseline, intervention, and maintenance. The instrument of the
present study was mathematics worksheets which consisted of five questions on the
topic of additions below 10. The participants were required to complete the
worksheet individually during each session. An edible reinforcer was delivered after
each desired outcome (correct answer) for their mathematical learning bahavior. The
number of correct answers given, length of time spent to complete tasks, and
behaviors were observed and recorded. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to test
the hypotheses of present study. Results indicated that there were significant
differences in mathematics achievement and learning behavior of children with
autism across the sessions. There was a significant increase in the number of correct
answers given by children with autism with the delivery of a positive reinforcer. Also,
the length of time that they took to complete the mathematics tasks decreased
significantly. Further, children with autism were found to put in more effort in
answering the questions and reduce autistic behaviors when there was a positive
reinforcer. Implementation of positive reinforcement was found to be effective to
improve the learning outcomes of children with autism and to reduce autistic
behaviors. As a conclusion, the findings of the present study provided further support
for the idea that learning and problematic autistic behaviors may be amenable to
modification in children with autism via positive reinforcement. In addition, it
enhanced our understanding of the learning process of children with autism and also
created awareness about their needs. Also, these findings would be useful in assisting
special educationists to develop an effective school syllabi meant for children with
autism. Therefore, a further step of teaching children with autism by using positive
reinforcement should be implemented. Lastly, limitations of the study and
suggestions for future research were also discussed.
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Keywords
Effects Of Applied Behavior Modification , On The Mathematical Learning Of Children With Autism