Keywords
Autism, Community based instruction, Mental retardation, Special education, Technology, Vocational instruction
Abstract
This study examined the effects and efficacy of two vocational instructional interventions - a Hand-Held Computer intervention versus a Staff Model intervention - as vocational instructional tools for high school students with autism and mental retardation. Specifically, the study analyzed the effects of these two treatments on the completion of authentic novel job tasks within a local department store. This research indicated the provision of specific technology as an instructional model positively influenced participants' ability to: accurately complete tasks, exercise increased independence during task completion, reduce problematic behavior during task completion, and lower necessary staff prompts during task completion. The use of technology to support individuals with severe disabilities has the potential to increase their level of independence and accuracy of job completion within community-based settings. Five high school students with autism and mental retardation participated in this study, which compared the use of a palm-top computer with a traditional staff model during the completion of eighteen novel job tasks within various departments of a large department store. Five of eight variables subjected to ANOVA and independent t-test analyses demonstrated significance.
Notes
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Graduation Date
2004
Semester
Summer
Advisor
Cross, Lee
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
College
College of Education
Department
Child, Family, and Community Sciences
Degree Program
Child, Family, and Community Sciences
Format
application/pdf
Identifier
CFE0000104
URL
http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0000104
Language
English
Release Date
August 2004
Length of Campus-only Access
None
Access Status
Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)
Subjects
Dissertations, Academic -- Education; Education -- Dissertations, Academic
STARS Citation
Spence-Cochran, Kimberly Gen, "An Investigation Of The Proficiency Level Of High School Students With Autism And Mental Retardation Within Community-based Job Settings: The Relationship Between The Use Of A Hand-held Computer Compared To Staff Modeling For Accurate Novel Job Skill Acquisition And Student Learning" (2004). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 151.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/151