As parents or caregivers of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), seeking help with their communication and social skills can be challenging. Video support has become increasingly popular regarding interventions for individuals with ASD. The assistance of training videos has transformed applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy and intervention. Videos are concrete, versatile, and can help learners understand complex scenarios.
At A Gem of Joy, we understand how visual supports can be used for a variety of purposes, such as teaching social skills, establishing routines and schedules, demonstrating desirable behaviors, and helping learners identify emotions. Our team is committed to providing you with the resources so your child can flourish. We also offer parent coaching sessions to answer your questions and provide additional guidance on using visual supports in your home.
Call us today at 888.501.6641 to learn more about utilizing video support to enhance your child’s social skills.
Video Supports for Autism Examples
Video supports come in many forms, from self-made to commercially available. Below are some video support options for autism that can be incorporated into teaching and learning:
Social Stories
A social story is a written or visual tool to teach social rules and understanding. Social story videos can assist clients in learning more about situations, events, and behaviors that may seem overwhelming to them. Social stories should display real-life scenarios that engage and educate learners about day-to-day decisions and responses.
Facial Expression Videos
Videos with actors and real-life examples of different facial expressions can be valuable tools for teaching emotions. Learners can often struggle with facial recognition skills, which may prevent them from appropriately responding to other people’s emotions. These videos help learners better identify, interpret, and respond to emotions.
Demonstration Videos
Demonstration videos can be used for various purposes, from modeling behavior to teaching social skills. Examples include conversing, maintaining eye contact, and interpreting body language. The demonstration videos aim to mimic the desired behavior that clients can replicate and implement within different settings.
Visual Schedules
Visual schedules can help provide learners with predictability and structure throughout their routines. Videos following a step-by-step process can complement visual schedules and guide individuals on task completion.
Tips When Using Video Support Interventions for Individuals with Autism
Video support for autism interventions can be integrated into children’s ABA therapy, social skill classes, in-school usage, and even homework activities. Below are some tips on how to use video support to help individuals with autism:
Involve the Learner
Involve the learner in the video planning process so they have a sense of ownership and can relate to the topic. Incorporate time to reflect on the video and either describe or act out the desired behaviors learned from the video.
Use Real-Life Scenarios
Show real-life scenarios that learners can relate to and depict the skills you want them to learn. Autistic learners often struggle with generalization, so make sure you show them different situations where they can apply the skills learned in various settings and contexts.
Create Video Rules
Establish video rules and be consistent when using video supports. Examples would be using earphones to eliminate distractions and not pausing in the middle of the video.
Assess Progress
Evaluate progress based on data from carried-out activities using video supports in your intervention, and be prepared to adjust your techniques to suit the learner’s needs better. Video support for autism interventions should be evidence-based and accurately assessed.
Best Practices for Video Supports for Autism Interventions
When using video supports for autism interventions, some best practices are necessary to optimize your success rate.
Consider the following as best practices:
- Identify skills to address – Identify the essential social skills to address with the learner and be specific in your goal setting.
- Ensure videos are compliant with The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – Ensure that the video content provided is closed-captioned, has descriptive narration and nonverbal cues, and is free of distracting music and images.
- Make it interactive – Encourage interaction before, during, and after the video, allowing learners to engage in real-life practice.
- Structure the interventions – Structure the interventions in a way that promotes predictability. Avoid repeating videos regularly and establish a calendar of activities with variety.
Video supports can also be used in transition planning. Transition plans benefit learners as they set long-term goals for the future and help them understand how to achieve them. Video supports can be incorporated into transition plans to give learners real-life demonstrations of different scenarios, such as going to college, finding employment, or living independently. Ultimately, video support is a great way to engage clients and promote their independence.
Call A Gem of Joy to Learn More About Video Supports for Autism Interventions
Harness the power of video supports with A Gem of Joy. Our team is ready to guide you using this transformative tool, enabling your child to navigate social situations with confidence and ease. Understanding ASD and ensuring families have the tools and resources they need—is our expertise.
We want to empower you and your child to succeed in whatever you do. To learn more about how video supports can enhance your child’s social skills, call A Gem of Joy today at 888.501.6641 or use our online contact form. Let’s unlock the joy of learning together!