Computer-assisted training of purchasing skills: A single case study of a 15-year-old boy with early infantile autism

The aim of the present exploratory single case study is to examine the effectiveness of computer-assisted training of purchasing skills in a 15-year-old boy with early infantile autism. The purchasing behavior was systematically observed under baseline, training, and post-training conditions. The systematic observation of the training process included variables of trainee's learning and tutor's teaching behavior. Video-based behavioral observations are analyzed by the partial time sampling and the event sampling method. The results indicate that the purchasing skills of the autistic adolescent improved significantly during the training. The training process is characterized by high fluctuations between attentive and distracted behaviors in the autistic student as well as intensive teaching activities on the part of the tutor. The findings support the assumption that daily living skills such as shopping behavior in autistic persons can be significantly improved by means of computer-based interventions.