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Article published In:
Interaction Studies
Vol. 17:2 (2016) ► pp.279–305

Investigating the parent-child interactive behavior of autistic children by using composite light-emitting or reflective toys

| Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology
| National Cheng Kung University

A toy is a valuable medium for promoting parent-child interaction. This study selected six light-emitting or reflective materials to produce composite toy balls, and conducted tests on 15 families with preschool-aged high-functioning autistic children. Quantification method I analysis was employed in the study, and the experimental results indicated that (a) the metal ball (reflective and dynamic light) was the representative sample that elicited many smiles or laughs and much finger pointing as well as high levels of pleasure and activeness.; (b) the mitball (static light) was the representative sample that provoked much eye contact, produced satisfactory reactions to activities,; (c) the quality of fluorescence enhanced the levels of pleasure and the reactions to the activity. We propose that dynamic and reflective materials can be adopted to divert the attention of children, and fluorescent toys can then employed to sustain parent-child interaction.

Keywords: autism, parent-child interaction, toy, attention
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
    • 1.1Two stages of the experiment
      • 1.1.1Stage 1: Selecting and designing experimental samples
      • 1.1.2Stage 2: Parent-child interactive experiments
  • 2.Literature review
    • 2.1Interactive behaviors of patients with Autism
    • 2.2Methods of experiment
  • 3.Experimental plan and design
    • 3.1Experimental plan and records
      • 3.1.1Items for timing
      • 3.1.2Interactive behaviors
      • 3.1.3Level of interaction
    • 3.2Research questions and limitations
      • 3.2.1Research problem statement
        • 3.2.1.1Material features and interactive behavior
        • 3.2.1.2Diversion
        • 3.2.1.3Toy designs and applications
      • 3.2.2Research scope limitation
        • 3.2.2.1Age and diagnostic background of participants
        • 3.2.2.2Locations, equipment, and researchers of the experiment
  • 4.Experiments and analysis
    • 4.1Stage 1: Selecting and designing experimental samples
      • 4.1.1Type of light source
      • 4.1.2Physical characteristics
      • 4.1.3Composite state
    • 4.2Stage 2: Parent-child interactive experiments
    • 4.3Experimental analysis
      • 4.3.1Recording the interactive behavior
      • 4.3.2Relationship between smiles or laughs and the material features
        • 4.3.2.1Number of smiles or laughs
      • 4.3.3Relationship between eye contact and material features
        • 4.3.3.1Amount of eye contact
      • 4.3.4Relationship between finger pointing and material features
        • 4.3.4.1Amount of finger pointing
      • 4.3.5Time required for diversion and parent-child interaction time
        • 4.3.5.1Evaluation of the level of interaction
  • 5.Conclusion
    • 5.1Material features and interactive behavior
    • 5.2Diversion
    • 5.3Toy designs and applications
  • 6.Future studies
  • Acknowledgements
  • Note
  • References
Published online: 21 December 2016
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/is.17.2.05lee
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