Social Validity of Pivotal Response Treatment With Korean Americans With Autism

• In Event: 42.083 - Roundtable Session 17
  In Roundtable Session: 42.083-14 - Special Education Research SIG Roundtable Discussion 2

Abstract

Although evidence based interventions (EBIs) for individuals with autism have been established with adequate scientific evidence, little is known about their applicability and feasibility within cultural and linguistic minority with autism. This case study explored how Korean American stakeholders perceived an EBI, pivotal response treatment (PRT), and focus children’s behaviors associated with the intervention. Ongoing data collection, including interviews, observations, and fieldnotes, was conducted. Four main concepts were identified with their experiences: (a) intervention as a medium to teach social behaviors and change others’ perceptions, (b) perception of procedures, (c) social behavior topography, and (d) interactions: “Intervention as an ice breaker”. These findings are discussed to guide future research and practices of culturally relevant interventions.

Authors

• Sunyoung Kim, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Audrey A. Trainor, New York University