Teacher Implementation of the VRA Instructional Sequence to Support Elementary Students With ASD: A Single-Case Study

Abstract

Virtual manipulatives are an evidence-based practice in mathematics for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Yet, to date, most research exploring the effects of the virtual-representational-abstract (VRA) instructional sequence has been conducted in researcher-implemented settings. However, to ensure researchers are able to provide accurate practice recommendations, more research is needed to explore the teacher implementation of this intervention. The purpose of this concurrent multiple probe across participants single-case design study was to examine the effects of a teacher-implemented VRA instructional sequence taught via explicit instruction on the accuracy with which three elementary students with ASD solve addition with regrouping problems. The VRA instructional sequence involved the use of virtual base ten blocks, drawings, and abstract numerical strategies to solve addition with regrouping problems. Researchers found a functional relation between the VRA instructional sequence and student accuracy. All three students were also able to maintain their accuracy after intervention ended. The teacher was able to implement the VRA instructional sequence after only two training sessions with over 97% treatment fidelity.