The Effectiveness of Socio-Activity Cards in Improving the Language Skills of Children with Autism in the School Social Environment

Dian Atnantomi Wiliyanto, Rizki Husadani, Sinar Perdana Putra, Nazmin binti Abdullah

Abstract

Language ability is a crucial element in the personality development of individuals with autism. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the "Socio Activity Card" media in enhancing the language skills of children with autism within the social environment of a school setting. A quantitative research approach was employed, utilizing a pre-experimental "One-Group Pretest–Posttest" design. In this design, a single group of subjects underwent an initial assessment (pretest), followed by an intervention—the use of Socio Activity Cards—and a subsequent assessment (posttest) to determine changes in language ability following the intervention. The study was conducted at a special education school with five students diagnosed with autism. The research spanned approximately eight weeks, encompassing preparation, the pretest, the intervention phase, the posttest, and data analysis. The results indicate that the use of Socio Activity Card media has a significant impact on the language abilities of children with autism (p = 0.003 < 0.005). Based on the effect size (Cohen’s d = 2.86), the Socio Activity Card media exerts a strong influence on improving the language skills of children with autism. Consequently, the use of Socio Activity Cards is expected to serve as an alternative solution for educators and therapists to help develop the language abilities of children with autism in social contexts, encompassing both verbal and nonverbal communication.

Keywords

Autism; Language Ability; Social Environment; Socio Activity Card

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References

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.20961/teknodika.v24i2.128324

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