Effects and Implications of Self-Management for Students With Autism: A Meta-Analysis

Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities

Lee, S. -H., Simpson, R. L., et al. (2007).

Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 22(1), 2-13.

This meta-analysis investigates the effects of self-management training on a variety of behavior (e.g., social communication, conversation, daily living skills, play) in children, 3-17 years old, on the autism spectrum.

Not stated

The data in this systematic review are included in another document which can be found in the Associated Article section below.

From 1992 to 2001

Single-subject research designs

11

The included studies generally targeted social and social interaction skills. Findings demonstrated that self-management interventions were generally associated with improved social behaviors (PND= 81.9%; SD = 30.5%). The following findings were noted:<br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #333333;">There was no statistically significant difference in outcomes for varying intervention characteristics including intervention type (e.g., self-management package, self-monitoring, self-reinforcement), the presence and absence of pre-training, the type of self-management materials utilized (e.g., pen and paper, token system, tangible materials), intervention goals (e.g., increase desired behaviors with or without reducing undesired behaviors), and with the presence or absence of peer or adult monitoring. </span></li> <li><span style="color: #333333;">No difference in outcomes were noted for various client characteristics (e.g., age, gender, baseline behavior). </span></li> <li><span style="color: #333333;">While the greatest success was seen in home (PND= 96.4) and school (PND= 83.0) settings, no overarching statements regarding settings' impact on outcomes could be made due to limited data with significant potential for bias. </span></li> </ul> <span style="color: #333333;">These results should be interpreted with caution due to an overall paucity of research and small sample sizes. Additional research is indicated.&nbsp;</span>