ERIC Number: EJ1292651
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1941-1243
EISSN: N/A
The Impact of an Independence Curriculum on Self-Determination and Function in Middle School Autistic Students
Onwumere, Dora D.; Cruz, Yamaris M.; Harris, Lauren I.; Malfucci, Katherine A.; Seidman, Steven; Boone, Cynthia; Patten, Kristie
Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools & Early Intervention, v14 n1 p103-117 2021
A growing number of autistic students enter the school system, many with the capabilities of doing grade-level work. For these students, there seems to be a lack of focus on executive functioning, self-regulation, daily living skills (DLS), and self-determination. The Independence Curriculum (IC) is a set of units addressing identified areas of challenges and supports autistic students. The study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the IC intervention with autistic middle school students on the autism spectrum (ASD). A convenience sample of thirteen 5th-grade participants diagnosed with ASD (n = 13) in an inclusive public school program was screened using a Middle School Checklist for eligibility for the IC to be used in middle school one time a week. Outcomes measures included the AIR Self-Determination Scale (AIR-S), Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS), and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II (VABS-2)-Daily Living Skills Domain. The results of this study demonstrate a significant improvement in student reported self-determination on the AIR-S and 70% goal attainment in executive functioning and self-regulation. The IC can be an effective curriculum for increasing functional independence while facilitating self-determination in middle school autistic students.
Descriptors: Middle School Students, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Curriculum, Student Needs, Program Effectiveness, Grade 5, Self Determination, Goal Orientation, Executive Function, Self Management, Urban Schools, Inclusion, Elementary School Students, Occupational Therapy, Grade 6, Daily Living Skills, Intervention
Taylor & Francis. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education; Elementary Education; Grade 5; Intermediate Grades; Grade 6
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New York (New York)
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales; Goal Attainment Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A