Kids love to see themselves. Can we capitalize on this motivation to help autism? Many respected researchers say yes.

Video Modeling is a method of teaching in which a student learns by watching a model on a videotape demonstrating the target skill. At a later time, we will review the difference between terms such as video self-modeling, feed forward and self review.

Video Modeling has been tested to help with communication, disruptive classroom behavior, increasing on-task behavior, stuttering, public speaking anxiety, autobiographical memory, increase student participation, promote social play, teach complex social sequences, as a treatment procedure, as an evidence-based treatment for children with autism.

Today we take home movie making for granted, but there was a time when making a video was too expensive, technical and complicated to be feasible for use in public education. In fact, since 1971 there have been 300-400 studies involving, at most, 2000 children. While it remained out of the public spotlight, video modeling has had a significant impact on educational programming, gaming, research into human/computer interface and been responsible for a growing number of commercially produced applications and sites to engage children. See examples:

• Interview with Simon Baron Cohen
• Model Me Kids

DVDs come with a price tag so you must do homework to make sure you purchase a product on your childʼs level. Fortunately, todayʼs technology allows practically anyone to create home video. Not only do you get to customize each clip to meet your childʼacademic and social needs, your can use completed clips to scaffold future clips. Best of all, it wonʼt cost you anything except time and constructive involvement with your child.  And that is good. The ability to create video modeling clips offers parents and teachers yet another tool in a growing Video Modeling arsenal.

Do I expect you all to run out shouting, “I will do it!  I will take my camera and today start making my own clips for the sake of autism!”?  No. Not until you know a lot more about it.  But therein lies the problem. Currently, you will not find much useful information on the Internet other than references to the research or the research itself. It is unreasonable to expect parents, educators and administrators to consider the use of VM without providing them with much more information, such as understanding best practice standards, advice to get started, understanding how a home/school collaboration should be handled, or service such as initial train or simply hosting user groups for mutual support.

Currently this project is being followed by 241 groups and individuals who blog or tweet or autism. Their assistance will be required to spread word about Video Modeling and promote thought about specific needs. This information will be solicited through a Stakeholder Survey that basically asks what everybody thinks they need in order to make an informed decision. The survey will read the community pulse. Responses will direct a panel of educational stakeholders and the researchers who defined the field of video modeling to discuss how best to service the public need.

For more information and updates regarding this Video Modeling research, please visit our group at: Technology In Special Education Ning