UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Foran, Jenna
Dept./Program:
Communication Sciences
Year:
2013
Degree:
MS
Abstract:
Comic strip conversations (CSCs) have been used to address many of the core deficits of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but no studies in this area have examined the potential benefit of including a typically developing sibling in CSCs to address sibling conflict. This case study examined the social validity of Comic Strip Conversations (CSCs) for a 6-year old child with Asperger's syndrome and his typically developing younger brother. Quantitative subjective ratings of behavior change were collected in the form of maternal daily diaries. Visual and Tau-U analyses across A (baseline), B (CSC with child with ASD), A (withdrawal), C (CSCs intervention with child with ASD and with typical sibling), A (withdrawal) phases of study indicated therapeutic changes in the child with ASD during phase C. No effect of treatment was seen in the typically developing sibling, however this appears to be due to ceiling effects in the baseline phase. The importance of triangulating shared meaning-making to address challenging situations in ASD is discussed. Implications, directions for future research, and limitations are considered.