Meta-analysis of Single-Case Research on Teaching Functional Living Skills to Individuals with ASD

Abstract

A meta-analysis of 52 studies teaching functional living skills to individuals with autism spectrum disorder was conducted. Using the Tau effect size with the Dunn and the Kruskal–Wallis post-hoc analyses, the following categories were analyzed: age, diagnosis, intervention type, dependent variable, setting, and implementer. Analyses for age yielded statistically significant findings supporting greatest outcomes for elementary-aged individuals compared to secondary-aged individuals as well as adolescents and adults in comparison with preschool- and secondary-aged individuals. Moderate to strong effect sizes were noted across categories for diagnosis, intervention, and dependent variable. Outcomes indicated strong effects across categories for setting and implementer. Convergent validity of Tau effect sizes with visually analyzed ratings of evidence was evaluated, which largely resulted in correspondence.