Single-Subject Study on the Effects of Social Stories on the Social Interaction of a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder in China

ABSTRACT

Intervention using social stories is a widely used strategy for children with autism spectrum disorder. However, empirical studies on the efficacy of social stories in improving social interaction have yielded mixed results, and such research in China is scarce. This study examined the effectiveness of social stories for increasing social interaction, particularly initiation and response, verbal exchange, body language, eye contact, and combined interaction of a child with autism spectrum disorder. A single-subject experimental study was conducted with two baseline sessions, two intervention phases, and a follow-up period. The results demonstrated immediate and maintained effects after utilising social story intervention. The participant’s response behaviours improved more than initiation, and body language as well as eye contact improved more than verbal and combined interaction. Social validity findings revealed positive evaluations of the participant’s mother and head teacher. Social story intervention is a promising strategy for improving the social interaction of children with autism spectrum disorder and that should be explored further in future research.

KEYWORDS:

• Autism spectrum disorder
• China
• single-subject experimental study
• social interaction
• social stories

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they do not have any actual or potential conflicts of interest to report in this article.

Ethics Approval

This research was approved by the relevant university Human Ethics Committee and has been conducted in accordance with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments. The subject’s parents and teachers have provided formal consent.

Additional information

Funding

The findings reported here are based on research conducted as part of [Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province] funded by Department of Education of Jiangsu Province under Grant No. KYCX23_1575.