The purpose of this mixed methods study was to determine if the RIRD intervention is effective in reducing vocal stereotypy in an individual with an autism spectrum disorder in the natural classroom setting with and without immediate reinforcement. The RRBs displayed by individuals with ASD may have a negative effect on the individual's ability to…

In a series of three experiments, I investigated the emergence of conditioned seeing, defined as delayed drawing responses, as a potential component of bidirectional naming (BiN) for unfamiliar stimuli, which was defined in this study as the emergence of untaught listener and speaker responses following a naming experience with school-aged…

Understanding dimensions that influence reinforcement is important for applied behavior analysts. Preference, and reinforcer effectiveness, may change depending upon several dimensions of reinforcement. Two influential dimensions that may influence preference and reinforcer efficacy are response-reinforcer arrangements and stimulus type. Many…

There are many benefits to engaging in regular physical activity such as increased quality of life and decreased levels of obesity. However, individuals with autism spectrum disorder often do not engage in healthy levels of physical activity. Low motivation, poor motor skills, and behavioral challenges combine to make engaging in regular physical…

Learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other disabilities should have access to the general education curriculum with their typically developing peers. Common barriers to inclusion can be addressed, in part, through effective in-service training on evidence-based practices (EBP). The purpose of this research was to assess the effects of…

This study examined the role of the replacement behavior when designing function-based interventions. Three students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) ages 12, 5, and 6, who displayed chronic off-task behavior participated in the three-phase study. In Phase 1, a descriptive functional behavioral assessment (FBA) was conducted for each student,…

Everyone, including children with developmental disabilities, encounters stimuli they find aversive every day (e.g., the sound of a classmate tapping their pencil). These aversive stimuli may not be problematic for typically developing individuals, because they learn to behave in ways that allow them to escape or avoid this aversive stimulation.…

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of PECS phase III application training on independent mands in young children with autism. Participants were five children with autism ranging from ages 2 to 4 years old. A multiple baseline across participants was used to evaluate acquisition of independent correct mands across baseline and…

Autism is primarily a social disorder and deficits in social-orienting may be responsible for the failure of children with autism to initiate critical social behaviors. The purpose of this research was to improve the quality of social interactions of children with autism by implementing naturalistic behavior strategies intervention utilizing a…

Educators are in need of appropriate interventions for teaching individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). A widely used (Bellini & Akullian, 2007; Delano, 2007) and evidence-based (Horner et al., 2005) instructional intervention for individuals with ASD is video modeling. Video modeling involves the learner viewing a video…

Development and Implementation of a Video-Based Physical Activity Preference Assessment for Children with Autism and Their Parents Individuals with autism often lack the necessary motivation to engage in physical activity. In addition, due to the characteristics defining autism, such as deficits in social skills, motor coordination, and behavior,…

I tested the effects of the absence and presence of Naming on rate of learning when teacher modeling was part of an instructional procedure. A time-lagged multiple probe design across matched pairs of participants was implemented. Eight elementary aged children with autism, ranging in age from 4 to 7 years old, were selected because they lacked…

A primary deficit seen in many children with autism, particularly those with limited verbal repertoires, is repetitive and rote verbal behavior. This type of repetitive or rote verbal behavior can be stigmatizing and may severely limit access to primary reinforcers. Therefore, it may be beneficial to attempt to increase response variability in…

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is an augmentative and alternative communication program (Frost & Bondy, 2002). Although PECS has been effectively used to teach functional requesting skills for children with autism, mental retardation, visual impairment, and physical disabilities (e.g., Anderson, Moore, & Bourne, 2007; Chambers &…

This study examined the effects of Dolphin-Assisted Therapy (DAT) as a reinforcer for verbal operant production in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Three children who attended a dolphin therapy program participated in this single subject research study. Baseline data was collected for each child via a video tape provided by parents and…