Autism Project of Dr. Jennifer Dustow: DO BILATERAL EXERCISES DECREASE OFF TASK BEHAVIOR WITH PRESCHOOLERS WITH A DIAGNOSIS UNDER THE AUTISM SPECTRUM WITHIN A CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT?

A comparison of off task behaviors was conducted utilizing a paired sample t-test in order to ascertain if a statistical significant difference existed when the bilateral exercises were performed by the students in the classrooms against those days when bilateral exercises were not performed. Bilateral exercises were conducted for 20 classrooms randomly determined by a daily coin toss over a period of six-weeks on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, between March/April of 2007. A total of 88 students participated in this research study. All participants met the criteria of being diagnosed under the Autism Spectrum in accordance with the Department of Education?s special needs guidelines (Department of Education, 2000). Off task behaviors observed include: aggression (verbal and nonverbal); eloping; flopping; inappropriate talking; non-focus; and noncompliance. Statistical significance was found for all six hypotheses.