What is JASPER?
JASPER is an evidence based intervention developed by Dr. Connie Kasari at the University of California, Los Angeles. JASPER teaches the foundations of social communication (joint attention, engagement, and play) and uses naturalistic strategies to increase the rate and complexity of social communication in young children with autism. JASPER targets four domains: Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation.
Joint Attention
Joint attention (JA) is the coordination of attention between objects and people for the purpose of sharing. Our studies show that children with ASD use more JA skills are modeled and taught directly.
Symbolic Play
We model appropriate play, facilitate joint attention within play routines, and encourage greater diversity in types of play with the goal of helping children increase their flexibility and level of play.
Engagement & Regulation
We promote regulation and engagement with others. When challenges arise, we offer strategies to address diminished engagement, restrictive and repetitive behaviors, and challenges with regulation.
Available Courses
Research
JASPER is evidence based with a tremendous amount of research proving its efficacy. Over the past 20 years, JASPER has been tested in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving over 700 children with ASD with studies conducted both within the Kasari Lab and by independent researchers. Across many independent trials evaluating JASPER’s efficacy, we found improvements in joint engagement, social communication, and emotion regulation with decreasing negativity over time, as well as increasing parental co-regulation strategies.
Implementation
JASPER has been empirically tested with many children, ranging in age from 12 months to 8 years, with a wide range of developmental abilities. It can be implemented by parents, teachers, clinicians, paraprofessionals, and other related service providers. The intervention works well in conjunction with other behavioral-based therapies and can be naturally incorporated into inclusion and special education classrooms and every day activities in the home. The only required materials are developmentally-appropriate toys or activities.