Tyra P. Sellers

Increasing response variability of mand frames with script training and extinction.

We examined the effects of script training and extinction on response variability of mand frames used by children with autism. Results demonstrated that extinction following script training was effective for increasing variability for 2 of the 3 participants.

Verbal Behavior and Communication Training

Section 1: Overview.- History and Evolution of the Autism Spectrum Disorders J.K. Irwin, J. MacSween, K.A. Kerns.- Diagnostic Systems C.L. Gillberg.- Prevalence and the Controversy C.A. Campbell, S. Davarya, M. Elsabbagh, L. Madden, E. Fombonne.- Autism Spectrum Disorders and Intellectual Disability L. Lecavalier, A.V. Snow, M. Norris.- Psychiatric Disorders in People with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Phenomenology and Recognition S.B. Helverschou, T.L. Bakken, H. Martinsen.- Section 2: Nosology and Etiology.- The Genetics of Autism D.K. Sokol, D.K. Lahiri.- Behavioral, Biopsychosocial, and Cognitive Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders S.E. Lind and D.M. Williams.- Nosology and Theories of Repetitive and Restricted Behaviors and Interests E. Gal.- Emotional Cognition: Theory of Mind and Face Recognition N. Nader-Grosbois, J.M. Day.- Developmental Issues and Milestones A. Thurm, S. Bishop, S. Shumway.- Sensory Processing and Motor Issues in Autism Spectrum Disorders C.L. Hilton.- Section 3: Assessment.- Early Detection of Autism Spectrum Disorders D.R. Dixon, D. Granpeesheh, J. Tarbox, M.N. Smith.- Diagnostic Instruments for the Core Features of ASD J.A. Worley, J.L. Matson.- Assessment of Rituals and Stereotypy O. Healy, G. Leader.- Assessing Challenging Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Prevalence, Rating Scales and Autonomic Indicators I.L. Cohen, J.H. Yoo, M.S. Goodwin, L. Moskowitz.- Functional Behavioral Assessment and Analysis J. Ward-Horner, L.J. Seiverling, P. Sturmey.- Assessment of Co-morbid Psychopathology L. Underwood, J. McCarthy, E. Tsakanikos.- Identifying Moderators of Treatment Outcome for Children with Autism L. Schreibman, S. Dufek, A.B. Cunnigham.- Identifying Fad Therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorders and Promoting Effective Treatment J.E. Tuzikow, S. Holburn.- Intensive Early Intervention S. Eikeseth.- Teaching Adaptive and Social Skills to Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders K. Thomson, K. Walters, G.L. Martin, C. T. Yu.- Functional Skill Replacement Training N. Naoi.- Verbal Behavior and Communication Training T.S. Higbee, T.P. Sellers.- Training Children with Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder to Comply with Health Care Procedures: Theory and Research A.J. Cuvo.- Physically Active Living for Individuals with ASD: Intervention Strategies to Promote the Acquisition of Movement Skills K.L. Staples, G. Reid, K. Pushkarenko, S. Crawford.- Aggression, Tantrums, and Other Externally Driven Challenging Behaviors N.N. Singh, G.E. Lancioni, A. S.W. Winton, J. Singh.- Self-Injurious Behavior: I. Overview and Behavioral Interventions F. Furniss, A.B. Biswas, B. Bezilla, A. Jones.- Self-Injurious Behavior: II. Pharmacological and Integrated Treatments F. Furniss, A.B. Biswas, B. Bezilla, A. Jones.- Autism Spectrum Disorders: Comorbid Psychopathology and Treatment S. Mohiuddin, S. Bobak, D. Gih, M. Ghaziuddin.- Rituals, Stereotypies, and Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior J.E. Ringdahl.- Interventions to Treat Feeding Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Comprehensive Review L. Seiverling, K. Williams, J. Ward-Horner, P. Sturmey.- Training Staff and Parents: Evidence-Based Approaches D.H. Reid, W.H. Fitch.- Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders S. Mahan, A.M. Kozlowski.

EVALUATION OF SOME COMPONENTS OF CHOICE MAKING

Providing access to choice-making opportunities is a useful addition to behavioral interventions, although the critical features of choice making may differ greatly across individuals. In this study, results of an initial 3-choice concurrent-operants preference assessment with 4 subjects with autism spectrum disorder suggested that 2 subjects preferred the choice-making condition and participated in subsequent assessments to examine the potential influences of reinforcer variability and differential access to high-preference reinforcers on their preferences for choice making. Two other subjects did not prefer the choice-making condition and participated in subsequent assessments to explore conditions under which they might prefer choice-making opportunities. Results suggested that a wide range of variables influenced preference for choice-making conditions.

Effects of Simultaneous Script Training on Use of Varied Mand Frames by Preschoolers with Autism

Young children with autism may fail to mand using a range of frames (e.g., “I want,” “May I have,” “Please give me”). We examined the effects of simultaneous script training and script fading on acquisition and maintenance of varied mand frames with six preschool children with autism. For participants who did not demonstrate increased mand variability under fixed-ratio (FR) 1 conditions, we assessed the effects of post script-training extinction on response variability. Following training of up to four different mand frames, three of six participants emitted more varied mands under FR1 conditions relative to baseline. Posttraining extinction resulted in increased mand variability for two of the three remaining participants. Results are discussed in terms of considerations for both establishing and ensuring the persistence of varied verbal behavior among children with autism.

A Proposed Model for Selecting Measurement Procedures for the Assessment and Treatment of Problem Behavior

Practicing behavior analysts frequently assess and treat problem behavior as part of their ongoing job responsibilities. Effective measurement of problem behavior is critical to success in these activities because some measures of problem behavior provide more accurate and complete information about the behavior than others. However, not every measurement procedure is appropriate for every problem behavior and therapeutic circumstance. We summarize the most commonly used measurement procedures, describe the contexts for which they are most appropriate, and propose a clinical decision-making model for selecting measurement produces given certain features of the behavior and constraints of the therapeutic environment.

Visual Learning Strategies to Promote Independence and Appropriate Social Behavior

As noted in other chapters in this text, individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often present with behavioral challenges that make it difficult for them to interact effectively with the social world. They may also have difficulty completing multistep tasks and sustaining attention for extended periods of time. The interventions described in this chapter, photographic activity schedules (hereafter called, activity schedules) and social scripting/script fading, were specifically designed to help individuals with ASD overcome these challenges. In this chapter, we will introduce these two techniques, briefly review the research supporting their effectiveness, and then offer suggestions for how they can be used, both together and separately, to improve the lives of individuals with ASD and their families.

Implementation of interventions informed by precursor functional analyses with young children: A replication

Individuals who engage in problem behavior may also engage in precursor behavior maintained by the same functional reinforcers as the more severe target problem behavior. This study replicates and extends previous research by examining precursor assessments and interventions with three preschool-aged children. We conducted assessments to identify precursor behavior, and conducted subsequent functional analyses targeting the precursor behavior. We then implemented function-based interventions to address the precursor behavior, resulting in reductions in precursor behavior and continued low or zero rates of severe problem behavior.

Speech Rate Entrainment in Children and Adults With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Purpose Conversational entrainment, a phenomenon whereby people modify their behaviors to match their communication partner, has been evidenced as critical to successful conversation. It is plausible that deficits in entrainment contribute to the conversational breakdowns and social difficulties exhibited by people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study examined speech rate entrainment in children and adult populations with and without ASD. Method Sixty participants including typically developing children, children with ASD, typically developed adults, and adults with ASD participated in a quasi-conversational paradigm with a pseudoconfederate. The confederates speech rate was digitally manipulated to create slow and fast speech rate conditions. Results Typically developed adults entrained their speech rate in the quasi-conversational paradigm, using a faster rate during the fast speech rate conditions and a slower rate during the slow speech rate conditions. This entrainment pattern was not evident in adults with ASD or in children populations. Conclusion Findings suggest that speech rate entrainment is a developmentally acquired skill and offers preliminary evidence of speech rate entrainment deficits in adults with ASD. Impairments in this area may contribute to the conversational breakdowns and social difficulties experienced by this population. Future work is needed to advance this area of inquiry.