Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigating of the effectiveness of puppet play therapy intervention on social skills of male students with autism disorder. The sample size was 24 male students with autism disorder that were selected by in available sampling method, and after a Garz test run they were assigned in to experimental and control group, randomly. Such as each group consist of 12 students. Both groups were assessed pre-test. The Experimental group received puppet play therapy training in 21 sessions while control group did not. After completion of intervention period for experimental group the post-test was administered for both groups. The Stone`s social skills Scale were administered to assess the social skills. The data analyses by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) showed that there were significantly increase in the mean scores of social skills and subscales (understanding/perspective taking, initiating interactions, responding to interaction and maintaining interactions) in experimental group (P<0.01).Observations implied the interference of puppet play therapy intervention for improving social skills of male students with autism spectrum disorder. The findings not only confirmed the effectiveness of this method, but also opens up the wider and deeper approach to puppet play therapy intervention and encourages therapists to consider puppet play therapy intervention as an effective therapy for students with autism disorder.
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