The Effects of Special Interest Area-Based Play Activities in an Inclusive Kindergarten on Social Interactions and Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

This study examined the effects of special interest area(SIA)-based play activities, implemented in an inclusive kindergarten, on the social interactions and restricted and repetitive behaviors(RRBs) in young children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD). Three young children with ASD and their peers participated in this study. After systematically assessing each child’s SIA, inclusive play activities incorporating the identified SIA were implemented as interventions in large- and small-group formats. The effects of the intervention were evaluated using a multiple-baseline design across participants. The results showed that all three participants exhibited increased social interaction rates and decreased RRB rates. These effects were generalized to other settings and maintained for four weeks post-intervention. These findings suggest that the SIAs of young children with ASD can be effectively utilized as an educational resource in inclusive kindergarten settings.