Abstract
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often exhibit inappropriate, off-task
behaviors in a large group classroom activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate
whether an art therapy antecedent-based intervention helped reduce the off-task behaviors of a
child with ASD in group activities. Using a single-subject reversal design, the researcher
evaluated the effects of the art therapy antecedent-based intervention done immediately before a
large group activity on the behavior of a child with ASD. The A-B-A-B design was used and
repeated as a sequence of a baseline period (A) followed by an intervention (B). Data was
collected through three sources: interviews, observations and journal. A partial interval
recording method was used during observations of baseline large group activities. One first
grade student with ASD characteristics was selected by teacher referral. Criteria for choosing art
materials and activities was based on the individual participant’s abilities, preferences and
interests and recommendations from the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC). The results of
the study showed a very small increase in off-task behaviors. Further research was indicated.
