Social stories: an intervention tool to help decrease undesired behaviors in children with characteristics of autism spectrum disorders

An adapted alternating treatment design was implemented to explore whether (a) a Social Story presented in a paper-based format was effective in decreasing undesired behaviors when compared to a no-intervention baseline condition, (b) a Social Story presented in a tablet computer-based format was effective in decreasing undesired behaviors when compared to a no-intervention baseline condition, and (c) a difference existed between the efficiency and the effectiveness of paper-based format and tablet computer-based format Social Story interventions. Four children from early childhood special education classrooms participated in the study. Data regarding frequency of undesired behaviors during target activities as well as social validity data regarding the perceived effectiveness and efficiency of the interventions were collected. Results revealed that Social Stories presented in both paper-based and iPad-based formats were effective and efficient in decreasing undesired behaviors when compared to baseline conditions, and that a notable difference did not exist between the efficiency and the effectiveness of the paper-based and iPad-based formats.