The experiences of a tutor during the implementation of an applied behaviour analysis programme : a case study

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This study was undertaken with the view to explore the experiences of tutors of childrenwith the dual diagnosis of Autism and Down syndrome during the implementation of anApplied Behaviour Analysis support programmeThe parents of the children willingly participated in a research project of the Departmentof Educational Psychology and Specialized Education at the University of Stellenbosch.A private individual funded the project. The aim of the project was to evaluate theeffectiveness of an Applied Behavior Analysis support programme over a period of 26weeks on an individual that has Autism. The programme impacted the daily lives of thetutors. The question soon arose as to how the intensive contact between tutor and thechild would be experienced by the tutor.A literature review was conducted to obtain a perspective of research done in this field.I fulfilled the dual role of researcher and trainee educational psychologist. The socialcontructivist framework was chosen as the preferred educational psychologicalframework from which to approach the study, while the participatory action researchparadigm lent itself to describe the individual experiences of the tutors. Theexperiences were gathered from interviews, observations, video material, journals andreflections.The research report describes a variety of possible experiences the tutor underwentand the repercussions thereof. Suggestions were made as to how adaptations to theprogramme could serve to expand the training of educational psychologists and tutors.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University