Video Self-Modeling for a Student with Dravet Syndrome: An Intervention Involving Parents during COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

Vascelli et al. (2022) worked with one 12-year-old who has Dravet syndrome. The parents shot short clips of the boy doing academic and fine-motor tasks correctly. They then showed the clips back to him over Zoom. A BCBA trained the parents online. The team used a multiple-baseline-across-behaviors design.

Sessions ran from the family home during Italy's COVID-19 lockdown. No therapist entered the house.

After watching himself succeed on video, the boy's accuracy rose on all three target skills. Gains held when the videos stopped. Parents said the plan was easy and fit daily life.

Yakubova et al. (2022) got the same positive jump using live online video modeling with an autistic preschooler. Both studies show telehealth video works across ages and diagnoses.

Lance et al. (2014) proved VSM boosts compliance in psychiatric inpatients without telehealth. Vascelli moves that idea into the home and adds parent delivery.

Aguilar et al. (2023) used bug-in-ear coaching so parents could run digital schedules. Vascelli shows parents can also run VSM with only up-front Zoom training.

Dutta et al. (2025) used VSM at the dentist and saw lower mom stress. Vascelli focused on learning skills, but both found parents can handle the tech side.

You can teach parents to shoot, edit, and show VSM clips in one Zoom meeting. No clinic space needed. Try it for older kids with rare genetic syndromes or any learner who likes screens. Start with one short skill clip before each homework block and let the student watch himself win.