Graduation Year
2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
Degree Granting Department
Child and Family Studies
Major Professor
Dr. Kimberly Crosland
Committee Member
Raymond Miltenberger, PhD
Committee Member
Kwang-Sun Blair, PhD
Keywords
school, Comprehension, learning, on-task
Abstract
Children with varying exceptionalities including ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other learning disabilities often struggle with attention deficits. The persistence of alternative non-behavioral approaches in classrooms to address this deficit presents the need for more research and education about these interventions. Specifically, the fidget spinner is a newer intervention which currently has no empirical evidence to support its use in the classroom setting. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of fidget spinners on increasing engagement and academic comprehension in a whole classroom environment. A multiple baseline across participants design was used with six children with varying diagnoses who struggled with attention deficits. Results showed that fidget spinners were ineffective at increasing engagement or academic comprehension and that self-monitoring was effective at increasing both engagement and academic performance.
Scholar Commons Citation
Byrne, Melanie B.S., "Increasing Engagement and Academic Performance of Children with Autism SpectrumDisorder and Attention Difficulties: Do Fidget Spinners Help?" (2019). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/7755
