Cognitive Picture Rehearsal (CPR) untuk Meningkatkan Komunikasi Ekspresif Anak Autism Spectrum Disorder

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have characteristic deficits in expressive communication that can lead to maladaptive behaviors, such as screaming when facing difficulties. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the Cognitive Picture Rehearsal (CPR) technique in improving expressive communication in the form of help-seeking behavior and reducing screaming behavior in children with ASD. The study employed a quantitative approach using a single-subject experimental design consisting of baseline (A1), intervention (B), and follow-up (A2) phases. The participant was a 10-year-old boy diagnosed with ASD who was attending special needs elementary education. The subject had limited verbal communication and often screamed when experiencing academic difficulties. The intervention used a sequence of pictures based on the Antecedent–Behavior–Consequence (ABC) principle illustrating difficult situations, help-seeking responses, and the positive consequence of receiving assistance from the teacher. The results showed improvements in several aspects of expressive communication and a decrease in the frequency of screaming behavior compared to the baseline condition. These findings indicate that CPR can help develop more adaptive communication in children with ASD.