Stop, Watch, and Copy: A modeling technique

Stop, Watch, and Copy is a modeling technique that can be used with any child, but is particularly useful with children who have a diagnosis of autism or asperger’s syndrome.  Children with autism or asperger’s often tend to miss social cues which result in them not being able to exhibit appropriate behaviors in social situations.  Not being able to act appropriately in social situations creates added stress in the life of a child who already is dealing with the symptoms related to the autism or Aspergers syndrome.

To implement Stop, Watch, and Copy, you can use visual cue cards (like the one’s below) or verbally talk with the child about stopping when they enter a social situation, watching what is going on around them, and then copy the behaviors (positive) that they see other people doing.  It is important that the child can identify the difference between positive and negative behaviors so that they do not copy the negative behaviors that may be occurring. 

Bellini, S., & Akullian, J. (2007). A meta-analysis of video modeling and video self-modeling interventions for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Exceptional Children, 73(3), 264-287.

Charlop-Christy, M. H., Le, L., & Freeman, K. A. (2000). A comparison of video modeling with in vivo modeling for teaching children with autism. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 30(6), 537-552.

Nikopoulos, C. K., & Keenan, M. (2004). Effects of video modeling on social initiations by children with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 37(1), 93-96.

Shipley-Benamou, R., Lutzker, J. R., & Taubman, M. (2002). Teaching daily living skills to children with autism through instructional video modeling. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 4(3), 166-177.