Classroom Management in Self-Contained Classrooms for Children with Autism: Extending Research on the Color Wheel System

Abstract

The color wheel is an evidence-based classroom management system that has been used to decrease inappropriate behaviors and increase on-task behaviors in general education elementary classrooms but not in classrooms for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A multiple-baseline design was used to evaluate the effects of the color wheel system (CWS) on disruptive behaviors (being out of seat for one classroom, inappropriate vocalizations for two classrooms) in three self-contained elementary classrooms for students with ASD. Partial-interval time sampling was used to record class-wide disruptive behaviors. Visual analysis of a time-series graph suggests that the CWS decreased disruptive behaviors across all three classrooms. Discussion focuses on limitations of the study and directions for researchers interested in modifying, applying, and evaluating the effects of the CWS in settings for children with ASD.