I was reminded recently of video modeling by a comment on one of my posts.
If you haven’t heard of video modeling, it is when a video shows a behavior modeled for others to imitate. Generally people watch these videos and then do some or all of the behaviors shown in the video. “How to” videos would be considered video modeling.
Research has shown that video modeling may be especially effective with people that have autism. Using videos, therapists have been able to teach autistic children different behaviors and those behaviors are generally retained even after the video modeling/ therapy ends.
I have personally never experienced video modeling as a form of therapy. However, I have noticed that I am especially susceptible to behaviors I see on a screen. When I watch a movie, it changes the way I act and the way I think. I mirror the behaviors in the movie more than I would mirror those behaviors if I were to see the same things happen in person.
For example, if I watch an action movie, I tend to walk faster and with more confidence, take more risks, and be more physically active. If I watch a children’s movie, I tend to be happier and friendlier and more playful. If I watch an intellectual movie, I tend to speak more formally, recite facts more often, and be more willing to sit and read.
That’s one of the reasons I don’t watch horror films… I don’t know how I would act if I watched a horror film, and I don’t really care to find out.
One day I would like to experiment with video modeling as a form of therapy on myself.
That’s actually part of my reasons for promoting this blog. If this blog ever gets enough support, I want to do a kickstarter so that I can get someone to do a video for me that will video model how to say hi in different situations. I have never been able to say hi to my friends without them either looking directly at me or them saying hi first. I hope that one day I will be able to say hi to people when I see them. Until then I look forward to the day when I can try out video modeling to see if it will help me with this skill.
autismthoughts 
Movies have the same effect on me. Ditto for steering clear of horror flicks. Have you tried videotaping yourself greeting someone (you could talk to a photo or into the mirror?)
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My problem isn’t really greeting someone. It’s when someone is busy doing something and I want to say hi to them. Like when you see your friend at a grocery store and say hi to them or when you’re standing in line for something and see a friend standing in line as well. If someone is looking at me, I have no problems with greeting them. When it comes to trying to get someone’s attention though, I have no idea how to do it.
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Do you want some suggestions? Actually just one (my husband shared it with me).
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Sure 🙂
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