The effects of the class-wide function-related intervention teams on behaviors of an elementary student with autism spectrum disorder in an inclusive classroom in Taiwan

Abstract

In Taiwan, most students with disabilities receive education in an inclusive setting. Literature has documented the effects of interventions in increasing students' positive behaviors in inclusive settings, including students with disabilities in Western countries; however, effectiveness of such interventions in an Asian context remains unclear. The Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT) is one of the interventions that applies reinforcement-based strategies and provides multi-tiered supports to students with various severity of challenging behaviors. This study investigates the effects of CW-FIT Tier I (i.e. class-wide intervention) and Tier II (i.e. self-management) on the on-task and disruptive behaviors of a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder in an inclusive elementary classroom in Taiwan. Across nine weeks of intervention, the researchers used a reversal single-case design A-B-C-B-C to demonstrate experimental control over five phases. In addition, the researchers administered interviews and questionnaires to collect social validity data from the teacher and peers' perceptions toward the intervention. Findings from this study support that the CW-FIT is an effective intervention in increasing a student's on-task behaviors and decreasing disruptive behaviors in an inclusive classroom in an Asian context. The effect of implementing multiple tiers of CW-FIT was much more effective than implementing solely Tier I (class-wide intervention). The intervention was also well-received by the general education teacher and students.