This presentation summarizes and shares the results of my research project working with a child with Autism. The intervention that was used was Emotional Thermometers to help the child understand the different emotional states of characters in fictional text.

1. Action Research
Project - Autism
by B. J. Zagorac, M.A., M.Ed.

2. Research Questions
• Primary Question
Will the intervention of emotional thermometers help an
8-year-old child with autism develop better
comprehension of fictional texts through properly
identifying the emotions of different characters?
• Secondary Question
Will the 8-year-old child show a more positive attitude toward
reading fictional texts after the emotional thermometer
intervention?

3. Methodology - Intervention
Intervention
Emotional Thermometers
o Based off of research of Gately (2008)
o Emotions are depicted visually on a thermometer with color
added
o Helps students understand feelings and emotions of characters
o Increases students’ understanding of character motivation and
choices in the story
o Assists students in piecing together events in the story based on
characters’ emotions.

4. Intervention - Data
Sources of Data
 Objective data in the form of short quizzes on 3 fictional
stories
 Written notes from tutor (author of this project)
 Written notes from child’s mother
 Information contained in child’s IEP
 Teacher feedback (upcoming)

5. Results from Intervention
 Data from the 3 quizzes showed that the child had mastered
understanding of simple character emotions.
 Child is more inquisitive when reading nonfiction texts, asking
many questions about the different characters.
 The child’s mother reported that her son is doing much better
with character emotions and often has no trouble identifying
basic emotions.
 The child’s IEP cited significant gains in multiple areas of reading
comprehension.
 School recently moved the child from a low-incidence classroom
to a high-incidence classroom because of his advancing skills in
literacy and other subjects.

6. References
• Gately, S. E. (2008). Facilitating reading
comprehension for students on the autism spectrum.
Teaching Exceptional Children, 40(3), 40-45.