If you have a child with autism or are working with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), this book may be for you.
When I was teaching children with autism, I was trying to find a way to get them to focus their attention to the task at hand. I realized that children with ASD prefer to deal with things and can be very creative in their own way. I figured out that maybe they can learn to fold and write, which are important tasks reinforced through occupational therapy. It was during my thesis writing when I came up with the idea of trying out origami or paper-folding as a form of intervention.
My goal was to see if origami could significantly improve the attending skills and impulse-control behaviors of children with ASD at the preschool where I worked. To make the terminology shorter, the improvement of attending skills also means the reduction of inattention and the lengthening of attention span. The improvement of impulse control also meant the reduction of impulsivity. I developed an origami instructional manual to make sure that the intervention given to each child is consistent. The manual involves very simple origami instructions and involves some drawing and uses paper in varying sizes, colors and textures to keep the child interested.
The results showed that the use of origami as an intervention significantly improved the attending skills of the participating children with ASD. As for the improvement of impulse control, impulsivity is affected by many variables and the results showed no significant change. Although my participants showed some improvement, it was not significant enough. I hope you can try to replicate this instructional manual to your child or students and see if this can help you.
I made it my goal to have this research published as an eBook with the hopes that it will be affordable for you. Once again, please try out this book and see if it can help you.
Table of Contents
- Chapter 1: Introduction
- Chapter 2: Theoretical Framework
- Chapter 3: Research Methodology
- Chapter 4: Presentation and Analysis of Results
Objectives and Key Themes
The study aimed to determine if incorporating an origami intervention program into the typical special education program would improve attention and impulse control in children with autism (CWA). The research investigated the effectiveness of the origami manual, compared the effects of the origami program to a standard special education program, and analyzed the changes in attention and impulse control in both groups.
- Effectiveness of origami as an intervention for improving attention in children with autism.
- Comparison of origami intervention with standard special education practices.
- Measurement of changes in attention and impulse control in children with autism.
- Validation of an origami instructional manual for use with children with autism.
- Potential for origami as a supplementary therapeutic tool in special education.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter introduces the study's objective: to investigate whether adding an origami intervention program to a typical special education program improves attention and impulse control in children with autism (CWA). It outlines the research questions, focusing on comparing the pre- and post-intervention levels of attention and impulse control in both an experimental group (receiving origami intervention) and a control group (receiving only standard special education). The chapter also defines the scope and limitations of the study, highlighting the selection criteria for participants and the methods used for data collection and analysis. The significance of the study lies in the potential for origami to provide a novel and engaging intervention strategy for CWA, addressing a critical need for effective therapeutic approaches in special education.
Chapter 2: Theoretical Framework: This chapter provides the theoretical foundation for the study by reviewing existing literature on autism, inattention, impulsivity, origami, and behavior management techniques. It explores the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the challenges associated with inattention and impulsivity in CWA. The chapter delves into the therapeutic potential of origami, examining its cognitive, motor, and social benefits. Furthermore, it discusses various behavior management strategies relevant to CWA and establishes a conceptual framework for the study, linking the chosen intervention (origami) to established theories of learning and behavior modification. The review synthesizes diverse perspectives, demonstrating the rationale behind using origami as an intervention for enhancing attention and impulse control in CWA.
Chapter 3: Research Methodology: This chapter details the research design, setting, participants, instruments, and procedures used in the study. It describes the selection of participants through purposive sampling, aiming to create comparable experimental and control groups. The chapter explains the two-part observation scale, validated by experts, which was employed for pre- and post-intervention assessments of attention and impulse control. The methodology section further elaborates on the data collection procedures, including the implementation of the origami intervention program with the experimental group. The chapter concludes by outlining the statistical methods (Mann Whitney U test) utilized to analyze the collected data, ensuring rigor and scientific validity in the study's findings.
Keywords
Autism, Origami, Attention, Impulse Control, Special Education, Intervention, Mann Whitney U test, Behavior Management, Therapeutic intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions: Origami Intervention for Children with Autism
What is the main focus of this study?
This study investigates the effectiveness of incorporating an origami intervention program into a standard special education program to improve attention and impulse control in children with autism (CWA).
What are the key objectives of the research?
The research aims to determine the effectiveness of the origami intervention, compare it to standard special education, and measure changes in attention and impulse control in both groups. It also seeks to validate an origami instructional manual for use with CWA and explore the potential of origami as a supplementary therapeutic tool in special education.
What is the structure of the study?
The study is structured into four chapters: an introduction, a theoretical framework, the research methodology, and the presentation and analysis of results. A table of contents provides a detailed overview of each chapter's content.
What theoretical framework underpins the study?
The study reviews literature on autism, inattention, impulsivity, origami, and behavior management techniques. It explores the characteristics of ASD and the therapeutic potential of origami, linking the intervention to established theories of learning and behavior modification.
What research methodology was employed?
The study uses a research design involving purposive sampling to create comparable experimental and control groups. A two-part observation scale, validated by experts, was used to assess attention and impulse control pre- and post-intervention. The Mann Whitney U test was used for data analysis.
What are the key findings (as summarized)?
Detailed findings are not provided in this preview; however, the chapter summaries offer an overview of the research process and the areas investigated. A full report would provide the detailed results of the statistical analysis.
What are the key terms associated with this research?
Keywords include: Autism, Origami, Attention, Impulse Control, Special Education, Intervention, Mann Whitney U test, Behavior Management, and Therapeutic intervention.
What is the significance of this study?
The study's significance lies in its potential to offer a novel and engaging intervention strategy for children with autism, addressing the need for effective therapeutic approaches in special education.
Where can I find the complete study?
This document is a preview. The complete study would provide the detailed results and analysis.
- Quote paper
- Luke Santamaria (Author), 2008, Improving the Attention Span of Children with Autism Using Origami, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/303700
