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| Empirically Supported Strategies to Get to Meaningful Outcomes for Children with Autism |
| Tuesday, June 1, 2004 |
| 12:00 PM–1:20 PM |
| Back Bay B |
| Area: AUT/VBC; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: Kevin P. Klatt (University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) |
| Discussant: Shahla S. Ala'i-Rosales (University of North Texas) |
| Abstract: . |
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| The Effects of Deprivation/Satiation and Preferences on Manding for Children with Autism |
| ELLIE MAUEL (University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire), Kevin P. Klatt (University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) |
| Abstract: The effects of deprivation/satiation and preferences on manding for children with autism. One of the core deficits of autism is a pronounced delay in communication skills. Approximately half of children diagnosed with autism do not acquire verbal skills. Perhaps, then, the most important skill to teach children with autism is functional language. One type of functional language is manding, that is, using language to request an item or activity. Different environmental events may effect how quickly a child learns to mand. Whether a child is deprived (has little access to an item) or satiated (has a lot of access to an item) may affect learning to mand. Furthermore, whether an item is high preferred or low preferred may also affect learning to mand. This study assesses how both deprivation/satiation and preferences effect learning to mand for a child with autism. Results show that deprivation and preference affect learning to mand, depending on the individual child. |
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| Utilizing Functional Assessment and Behavior Support to Decrease Challenging Behaviors in a Young Child with Autism |
| AMANDA TYRELL (Community Living Opportunities, Inc.), Nanette L. Perrin (Community Living Opportunities, Inc.), Katie L. Zerr (Community Living Opportunities, Inc.), Jamie D. Price (Community Living Opportunities, Inc.), James A. Sherman (University of Kansas), Jan B. Sheldon (University of Kansas) |
| Abstract: This study examines the effects of implementation of a behavior support plan on the occurrence of non-compliance and aggression during group preschool time and one-on-one teaching sessions. This study was conducted with a 4 year-old boy who has been diagnosed with autism. This child has received 2 years of intervention thus far that includes one-on-one teaching as well as group preschool participation. Baseline data included episodes of aggression and non-compliance ranging from 4-10 episodes per day. The functional behavior assessment indicates that the behavior was maintained by escape and teacher attention. The behavior support plan included manipulation of consequences and antecedent interventions including increased opportunities for choice and a visual schedule. Results indicated that the child met criterion of one or fewer daily occurrence on both non-compliance and aggression. Aggression and non-compliance in the group setting was reduced to 0 episodes per day for 20 days. Reliability was collected on less than 10% of intervals, but interobserver agreement was 90%. |
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| Helping Families Evaluate Fad Treatments for Children with Autism |
| SHANNON KAY (May Institute) |
| Abstract: An applied behavior analyst assigned to a new case of a child with autism will often find the child’s parents have already adopted a treatment strategy that is not supported by scientific evidence. Practitioners’ efforts to help parents cast off ineffective treatments are substantially aided by two factors. First, most parents are highly motivated to see their children improve, and if presented with clear evidence that a program is working, will often quickly abandon an ineffective approach in favor of an effective one. Second, the same empirical tools that have built the knowledge base of applied behavior analysis—in particular, single case experimental designs—can be employed to help parents discover which treatments will help their children and which will not. In this paper, a simple strategy to help parents compare the effectiveness of two therapies on the behavior of their children will be presented. Three cases will be presented that include reliable data within an alternating treatments experimental design. In each case, so called “fad” treatments were abandoned following data that showed lack of effect. Instead, demonstrably effective behavior analytic procedures were selected as the treatment of choice. |
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