Video-Based Interventions that Address the Needs of Students With Emotional Behavioral Disorders: What Does the Literature Say? How Do I Start? Where Can I Find Resources?
Over a decade ago, I used a video camera to make a recording for a boy with autism in my classroom. Two students in my class volunteered to act out a scenario showing appropriate behaviors as they interacted together. I then asked my educational assistant to review this video several times with the boy, to help him get a better picture of our expectations. The results were good; we saw a decrease in the inappropriate behavior we were trying to target. I tried this two or three more times that year but found the process to be quite time consuming despite the fact that I had all the technology needed and found it relatively easy to use. At the time, I didn’t realize that this was an evidence based intervention and that it was referred to as video modeling.
This year, there are several students in my school who have been identified with emotional behavioral disorders and I’ve been using an iPhone to record video to share with school teams as we work together to address these students’ needs. I’ve also explored the use of tablet apps that use photos to build more interactive social stories for students; a process that was quite simple and easily taught to other staff. I began wondering if other educators are using any of this new portable, easy to use technology in this way to help their students. First, I was interested in finding research that proved the effectiveness of video based interventions.
Here is what I learned:
The following research articles can be found online on the ATA website. Be sure to log in to gain full access to the Alberta Teachers’ Association Library.
Blood, E. M., Johnson, J. W., Ridenour, L., Simmons, K. L., & Crouch, S. (2011). Using an iPod touch to teach social and self-management skills to an elementary student with emotional/behavioral disorders. Education and Treatment of Children, (3), 299.
Carnahan, C. R., Basham, J. D., Christman, J., & Hollingshead, A. (2012). Overcoming challenges: "Going mobile with your own video models". Teaching Exceptional Children, 45(2-), 50-59.
Cihak, D., Fahrenkrog, C., Ayres, K. M., & Smith, C. (2010). The use of video modeling via a video iPod and a system of least prompts to improve transitional behaviors for students with autism spectrum disorders in the general education classroom. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 12 (2), 103-115. doi:10.1177/1098300709332346
Applying UDL principles in the classroom:
Hall, T., Meyer, A., & Rose, D. (2012). Universal design for learning in the classroom: Practical applications New York: Guilford Press, 2012.
Want to read my entire paper on video-based interventions? (Click on the link below)
Smith, J. (2014). Video based interventions that address the needs of students with emotional behavioral disorders: What does the literature say?
Google Doc: Access
The following links may also be helpful:
Steps for Video-Modeling Implementation (National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders)
Video Modeling & Video Self-Modeling Samples ( The Video Modeling & Video Self-Modeling Wiki)
Video Modeling Presentation (Autism Supports Project Workshop)
How to Improve Social Skills in Children with ADHD (Keath Low, MA-psychotherapist)
Serving Children With Emotional-Behavioral and Language Disorders: A Collaborative Approach (Jennifer Armstrong, PhD, CCC-SLP)
Glossary of Terms – helpful links
Social Learning Theory - http://www.learning-theories.com/social-learning-theory-bandura.html
Social Stories - http://www.thegraycenter.org/social-stories/what-are-social-stories
Emotional Behavioral Disorders – Alberta Education Coding Criteria https://education.alberta.ca/media/825847/spedcodingcriteria.pdf
Universal Design for Learning - http://www.cast.org/library/video/udl_at_a_glance/index.html
This year, there are several students in my school who have been identified with emotional behavioral disorders and I’ve been using an iPhone to record video to share with school teams as we work together to address these students’ needs. I’ve also explored the use of tablet apps that use photos to build more interactive social stories for students; a process that was quite simple and easily taught to other staff. I began wondering if other educators are using any of this new portable, easy to use technology in this way to help their students. First, I was interested in finding research that proved the effectiveness of video based interventions.
Here is what I learned:
- Several evidence based video interventions exist – video feedback, video modeling and video self-modeling. The focus behind all of them is to help students develop the necessary social skills to meet the demands of the inclusive school environment. The amount of preparation time, class involvement and technology skill varies depending on the intervention.
- Interventions that combine video models with other social skills training have the best results with students.
- Students are already familiar with the new mobile technologies (tablets, Smartphones etc.) and are motivated to use them. Re-purposing these tools for educational purposes is a feasible option for school teams. Their portability and accessibility allows teachers and students to use one tool to record, edit and view completed video models.
- Teamwork is critical. Look to the resource people in our district to meet with your school team (educators, administration and educational assistants). Consider building a community of practice with other teachers who are facing similar challenges in the district. Together, you can more effectively plan, problem solve and assess the interventions you try.
The following research articles can be found online on the ATA website. Be sure to log in to gain full access to the Alberta Teachers’ Association Library.
Blood, E. M., Johnson, J. W., Ridenour, L., Simmons, K. L., & Crouch, S. (2011). Using an iPod touch to teach social and self-management skills to an elementary student with emotional/behavioral disorders. Education and Treatment of Children, (3), 299.
Carnahan, C. R., Basham, J. D., Christman, J., & Hollingshead, A. (2012). Overcoming challenges: "Going mobile with your own video models". Teaching Exceptional Children, 45(2-), 50-59.
Cihak, D., Fahrenkrog, C., Ayres, K. M., & Smith, C. (2010). The use of video modeling via a video iPod and a system of least prompts to improve transitional behaviors for students with autism spectrum disorders in the general education classroom. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 12 (2), 103-115. doi:10.1177/1098300709332346
Applying UDL principles in the classroom:
Hall, T., Meyer, A., & Rose, D. (2012). Universal design for learning in the classroom: Practical applications New York: Guilford Press, 2012.
Want to read my entire paper on video-based interventions? (Click on the link below)
Smith, J. (2014). Video based interventions that address the needs of students with emotional behavioral disorders: What does the literature say?
Google Doc: Access
The following links may also be helpful:
Steps for Video-Modeling Implementation (National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders)
Video Modeling & Video Self-Modeling Samples ( The Video Modeling & Video Self-Modeling Wiki)
Video Modeling Presentation (Autism Supports Project Workshop)
How to Improve Social Skills in Children with ADHD (Keath Low, MA-psychotherapist)
Serving Children With Emotional-Behavioral and Language Disorders: A Collaborative Approach (Jennifer Armstrong, PhD, CCC-SLP)
Glossary of Terms – helpful links
Social Learning Theory - http://www.learning-theories.com/social-learning-theory-bandura.html
Social Stories - http://www.thegraycenter.org/social-stories/what-are-social-stories
Emotional Behavioral Disorders – Alberta Education Coding Criteria https://education.alberta.ca/media/825847/spedcodingcriteria.pdf
Universal Design for Learning - http://www.cast.org/library/video/udl_at_a_glance/index.html