Data Mining Techniques to Study Therapy Success with Autistic Children

Authors

Gondy A. Leroy, Claremont Graduate UniversityFollow
Annika Irmscher, Claremont Graduate University
Marjorie H. Charlop, Claremont McKenna CollegeFollow

Student Co-author

CGU Graduate

Document Type

Article

Department

Information Systems and Technology (CGU)

Publication Date

2006

Disciplines

Computer Sciences | Databases and Information Systems | Psychology

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder has become one of the most prevalent developmental disorders, characterized by a wide variety of symptoms. Many children need extensive therapy for years to improve their behavior and facilitate integration in society. However, few systematic evaluations are done on a large scale that can provide insights into how, where, and how therapy has an impact. We describe how data mining techniques can be used to provide insights into behavioral therapy as well as its effect on participants. To this end, we are developing a digital library of coded video segments that contains data on appropriate and inappropriate behavior of autistic children in different social settings during different stages of therapy and. In general, we found that therapy increased appropriate behavior and decreased inappropriate behavior. Decision trees and association rules provided more detailed insights for high and low levels of appropriate and inappropriate behavior. We found that a child's interaction with a parent or therapist led to especially high levels of appropriate behavior and behavior is most predictable while therapy is in progress.

Comments

Previously linked to as: http://ccdl.libraries.claremont.edu/u?/irw,504.

Publisher pdf reproduced with permission.

Rights Information

© 2006 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). This material is posted here with permission of the IEEE. Such permission of the IEEE does not in any way imply IEEE endorsement of any of The Claremont Colleges's products or services. Internal or personal use of this material is permitted. However, permission to reprint/republish this material for advertising or promotional purposes or for creating new collective works for resale or redistribution must be obtained from the IEEE by writing to pubs-permissions@ieee.org.

Terms of Use & License Information

Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

Recommended Citation

G. Leroy, A. Irmscher, and M.H. Charlop-Christy, "Data Mining Techniques to Study Therapy Success with Autistic Children", 2006 International Conference on Data Mining, 26 - 29 June 2006, Monte Carlo Resort, Las Vegas, USA.