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Dissertation
Engagement of children on the autism spectrum
University of West Florida Libraries
Doctor of Education (EDD), University of West Florida
2016
Abstract
Characteristically, children on the autism spectrum do not inherently attend and respond to speech as do children not on the autism spectrum. This study included the systematic, controlled collection and analysis of quantitative data in order to explore whether adding a musical dimension could facilitate the provision of instruction that may be incorporated into educational approaches. Building on aspects of the social motivation theory of autism, this study addressed whether children on the autism spectrum are more responsive to messages delivered through or with music than to speech. Results indicated that the attention level/engagement of some children on the autism spectrum increases when information is presented via singing rather than speaking, partly depending on how attention level/engagement is defined and measured. Whereas a majority of this study's participants did not display a higher level of visual attending in the singing condition, a majority of them displayed a higher level of correct response in the singing condition, signifying an increase in auditory attending. Results also indicated that the attention level/engagement of children on the autism spectrum differ based on the complexity of the music, with a higher level displayed within the complex music condition. A majority of this study's participants displayed a higher level of both visual attending and correct response in the complex music condition. An implication of this study's findings is that educators and other professionals who work with children on the autism spectrum should be aware that the addition of music may be an effective stimulus to gain attention level/engagement. Another implication is that the use of more complex music may provide a pronounced benefit.
Details
- Title
- Engagement of children on the autism spectrum
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Publisher
- University of West Florida Libraries
- Format
- pdf
- Number of pages
- 87
- Copyright
- © 2015 Carla F. Quinn
- Identifiers
- 99380090732806600
- Academic Unit
- School of Education
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Doctor of Education (EDD)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Education (EDD), University of West Florida