The Effectiveness of Identiplay Method on Improving Joint Attention in Children with Autism

Autism spectrum disorder affects a person's communication skills and response to the external environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of IDP's method on improving joint attention in children with autism. The research was a single case study with A-B design and follow-up. The statistical population of this study was children with autism spectrum disorder in Tehran Rehabilitation Center. Since the present study was looking for specific or unusual cases, purposive sampling method was used. Based on this, 3 children who, according to the pediatric psychiatrist and child psychologist, had signs and symptoms of autism, were selected as the study sample. The data collection tools in this study were Gilliam (2006) Autism Diagnosis Test and Identiplay Protocol based on the approach of Phillips and Biwan (2007). In the present study, for data analysis, chart analysis methods, stable change index, clinical significance, percentage improvement of POD, PND indices and calculation of trend and intermediate stability chamber were used. The results of the study showed that the Identiplay method was effective in improving joint attention in children with autism. The results showed that Identiplay significantly improved the joint attention of children with autism spectrum disorder. Thus, it is suggested that this method be used as a new and complementary approach in the field of education and rehabilitation of children with autism spectrum disorder along with other major therapies.