The effects of teacher intrusion on social play interactions between children with autism and their nonhandicapped peers.
This study investigated the effects of two levels of teacher intrusion upon the behavior of elementary age children with autism and nonhandicapped peers during dyadic play interactions occurring in two special education classrooms. High versus low levels of teacher intrusion were contrasted in a mixed between- and within-subjects design counterbalanced for order across the two conditions. There were few differences in behavior across the two conditions, though the low-intrusion condition was associated with higher levels of toy contact, appropriate and inappropriate play, and lower levels of spontaneous verbalizations by the students with autism. There was no difference in the occurrence of excess behavior by condition. Results are discussed with respect to future investigations of effective teacher mediation to prepare children for positive peer interactions.
Meyer
L H
LH
Syracuse University, Division of Special Education and Rehabilitation, New York 13244-2280.
Fox
A
A
Schermer
A
A
Ketelsen
D
D
Montan
N
N
Maley
K
K
Cole
D
D
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D004495:Education of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012107:Research Design; D012919:Social Behavior