Effects of the Gesture Imitation Activity Program Using a Personal Emotion Photo Album (PEPA Program) on Body Language Recognition Ability and Emotional Communication Ability in Autistic Children

Abstract

This classroom action research investigated the effects of the PEPA Program (Personal Emotion Photo Album Program) on body language recognition ability (BLRA) and emotional communication ability (ECA) in autistic children aged 4–8 years at the Special Education Centre, Lampang Province, Mae Moh District Service Unit. The study employed a qualitative action research design through four PAOR cycles (Kemmis & McTaggart, 2005). Participants were five children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosed under DSM-5 criteria, purposively selected based on social communication deficits, visual acuity, and parental consent. The PEPA program comprised six structured activity types delivered one-on-one for 40–45 minutes, three times per week over 15 weeks (36 sessions total). BLRA and ECA instruments, researcher-developed with IOC values of 0.67–1.00, accepted multiple response modalities beyond verbal expression. Results indicated that all five children showed improvement in both BLRA and ECA. Mean BLRA scores increased from 16.20 to 29.80 out of 40 (83.95% change), while mean ECA scores increased from 13.60 to 26.60 (95.59% change). Non-speaking children demonstrated substantial gains through pointing and gesture responses. Parent reports indicated a 50–70% reduction in challenging behaviours. The PEPA Program effectively develops body language recognition and emotional communication abilities in autistic children and can be practically integrated into special education centre instruction.