Why is Video Modelling an Effective Strategy to Teach Children/Young People With Autism?
Video Modelling
Video Modelling
Video Modelling is the process of showing the child a video of themselves or another person carrying out an action or performing a skill. This can help reduce the child’s anxiety around the activity as the activity has been made more predictable. The child may also be able to carry out the activity more easily as they have been prepared for it by watching the video.
To watch Brenda Myles ‘Kindness’: click here.
VideoJug and eHow websites have a range of videos which show the viewer how to complete certain tasks.
https://www.youtube.com/user/VideoJug
https://www.youtube.com/user/eHow
Video modelling may also be used to teach calming sequences to children (link to section on calming sequences). Children may watch themselves or an adult going through the process of calming down. This may involve taking several deep breaths, closing their eyes and squeezing their hands, for example. The child can then watch this video and learn how to calm themselves down independently when they are feeling anxious. For additional information on Video Modelling link out to Building Independence section.
There has been an extensive body of research which supports the use of videos to teach skills to individuals with autism (Ganz et al., 2011, Litras et al., 2010, Hume et al., 2009). The purpose of video modelling is to show the steps required to complete a given task successfully (Carothers & Taylor 2004).
There are many reasons including:
- They present information visually which reflects the way many individuals with autism learn best
- Using a video does not require the child or young person with autism to interact with others, which is often a source of anxiety for many with autism
- Videos may also carry less social stigma than other forms of intervention, such as adult prompting
- Videos can be repeatedly viewed-helping teachers overcome logistical challenges
- Videos provide an alternative to adult promoting which leads to increased independence
How to Introduce Video Modelling?
It is important to show the child or young person the steps needed to successfully complete a task. This can be achieved by:
- Utilising a model such as a family member such as a sibling, or peer who can help create the video or
- the child or young person themselves can be their own model i.e. self-modelling
For more information on video modelling: see Building Independence.
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