Arthur E. Wilke

EVALUATION OF A MULTICOMPONENT INTERVENTION FOR DIURNAL BRUXISM IN A YOUNG CHILD WITH AUTISM

Bruxism, forceful grinding of ones teeth together, can produce destructive outcomes such as wear on the teeth and damaged gums and bone structures. The current study implemented a multicomponent intervention that consisted of vocal and physical cues to decrease rates of bruxism. A partial component analysis suggested that the vocal cue was only effective at decreasing levels of bruxism when paired with a simultaneous physical cue.

Examination of the influence of contingency on changes in reinforcer value.

This study examined how the amount of effort required to produce a reinforcer influenced subsequent preference for, and strength of, that reinforcer in 7 individuals with intellectual disabilities. Preference assessments identified four moderately preferred stimuli for each participant, and progressive-ratio (PR) analyses indexed reinforcer strength. Stimuli were then assigned to one of four conditions for 4 weeks: fixed-ratio (FR) 1 schedule, escalating FR schedule, yoked noncontingent (NCR) delivery, and restricted access. Preference assessments and PR schedules were then repeated to examine changes in selection percentages and PR break points. Selection percentages decreased for all NCR stimuli but increased for most of the restricted stimuli. There were no systematic changes in selection percentages for either of the contingent stimuli. Break points increased, on average, for all conditions, but the increase was highest for the restricted stimuli and lowest for the NCR stimuli. These results are discussed in relation to recent basic research addressing the influence of effort on stimulus value.

Utilizing Antecedent Manipulations and Reinforcement in the Treatment of Food Selectivity by Texture

Food selectivity by texture is relatively common in children. Treatments for food selectivity by texture have included components such as stimulus fading, reinforcement, and escape extinction. The purpose of the current study was to attempt to treat food selectivity by texture utilizing antecedent manipulations and reinforcement in the absence of escape extinction. The current study utilized texture fading and simultaneous presentation to treat food selectivity by texture in a young boy with autism. Experimenters successfully increased the boys food consumption using this treatment package in a clinical setting. Then, the boys parents were trained to implement procedures both in the clinical and home settings.

Including unfamiliar stimuli in preference assessments for young children with autism

This study examined the inclusion of familiar and unfamiliar stimuli in a paired-stimulus preference assessment and subsequent progressive-ratio reinforcer assessment for 3 children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Results showed that highly preferred unfamiliar stimuli functioned as reinforcers. These findings suggest that the inclusion of unfamiliar stimuli in preference assessments may facilitate the identification of additional reinforcers for children with an ASD.