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The following is from the article's abstract. The abstract and information on accessing the full article are available on the TEACHING Exceptional Children website. Maintaining a focus on reading comprehension is essential for students with ASD, as some will still need to develop this skill during their high school...
Self-management interventions have been shown to improve behavioral, social, and academic outcomes across age groups and settings; yet, a dearth of research exists on the impact of self-management interventions on the academic engagement of high school students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study uses...
This systematic review provides a synthesis of behavioral interventions for food selectivity in children with autism spectrum disorder. A multistep search strategy was employed to identify experimental studies published in peer-reviewed journals between 1984 and 2015. A total of 31 studies met inclusion criteria. Participant characteristics, study characteristics, and intervention outcomes were...
The use of behavioral indicators as a measure of satiation was a procedure developed by O'Reilly et al. (2009 [Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 32, 371–374]) to systematically manipulate presession access to a tangible reinforcer. To gain a better understanding of the utility of behavioral indicators of satiation in applied settings,...
This review addresses the use of peer-mediated interventions (PMI) to improve the social interaction skills of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in inclusive settings. The purpose of this review is to (a) identify the characteristics and components of peer-mediated social interaction interventions, (b) evaluate the effectiveness of PMI by...
iPads have been successfully used as speech-generating devices (SGD) for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and limited speech, but little research has investigated the use of iPads to enhance academic skills, such as picture/word matching. In this study, a student with ASD received intervention to teach...
This study evaluated the effects of an intervention package designed to teach independent toileting skills to two boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A nonconcurrent multiple-baseline-across-participants design was employed to investigate the effects of video modeling that used animation to depict in-toilet voiding combined with prompting and reinforcement procedures. Results...
This review summarizes selected studies involving education and training programs designed to improve parents’ ability to provide research-based support and intervention for their children with intellectual disabilities. First, the authors highlight stressors and obstacles associated with parenting a child with intellectual disability and note the relative paucity of...
This study compares intervention delivered by a therapist to intervention delivered using an iPad for two children with autism. Further, this study evaluates the influence of choice between the conditions. Time on-task, challenging behaviour, session duration, and correct responses were compared across conditions in an alternating-treatment design. The effect...
A multiple-baseline design across participants was used to demonstrate the effects of a script-training procedure on the peer-to-peer communication of three children with autism spectrum disorder during group play with peers. Both scripted and unscripted initiations as well as responses to peers increased for all three participants. Stimulus...
Technology-aided programs have been reported to help persons with disabilities develop adaptive responding and control problem behavior/posture. This study assessed one such program in which choice of stimulus events was used as adaptive responding for three adults with multiple disabilities. A computer system presented the participants stimulus samples. For...
This study assessed whether a computer-aided program presenting static pictorial instructions or video prompts according to prearranged time intervals would be suitable for teaching six persons with multiple (i.e., intellectual, sensory, and social) disabilities to perform simple daily activities. The program was applied with each participant according to a...
The objective of this study was to assess undergraduates' perceptions of three augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) modes. The authors showed 104 undergraduates a video clip of a person using each of the three AAC modes and asked them to rate each option in terms of perceived (a) intelligibility, (b)...
Echolalia can lead to communication breakdowns that increase the likelihood of social failure and stigmatization in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In an effort to facilitate evidence-based intervention and inform future research, this systematic review analyzes peer-reviewed studies involving the treatment of echolalia in individuals with ASD. Using predetermined...
Previous research has shown tangibly maintained challenging behavior can be temporarily decreased by providing presession access to the relevant tangible. However, the duration of this beneficial effect is unknown. The authors measured the subsequent duration of behavior reduction effects following presession access during extended classroom observation sessions by analyzing...
This study investigated whether simple technology-aided programs could be used to promote leisure and communication engagement in three persons with advanced Parkinson's disease. The programs included music and video options, which were combined with (a) text messaging and telephone calls for the first participant; (b) verbal statements...
This study assessed a new speech-generating device with three adult participants whose multiple disabilities included blindness or minimal residual vision. The side of the device facing the participants measured 35 cm × 20 cm and was divided into 15 sections, each containing an optic sensor. Above each optic sensor...
The purpose of this translational review (i.e., moving from basic primate research toward possible human applications) was to summarize nonhuman primate literature on anxiety to inform the development of future assessments of anxiety in nonverbal individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Systematic searches of databases identified 67 studies that...
This study aimed to teach individuals with autism spectrum disorder and limited vocal speech to emit target vocalizations while using a speech-generating device (SGD). Of the four participants, three began emitting vocal word approximations with SGD responses after vocal instructional methods (delays, differential reinforcement, prompting) were introduced. Two participants met...
The authors investigated the effects of embedding the perseverative interest (PI) of a child with autism (i.e., cars) within texts on reading comprehension. A PI text condition (text altered to include cars) was compared with a non-PI text condition (same story without cars inserted) in an alternating treatment design....
The book in which this chapter appears explores data-based decision-making to inform treatment selection for behavior change across populations and contexts. The authors reference a range of published research methods in applied behavior analysis for specific topics and use their own clinical work by providing case examples.
The book in which this chapter appears presents the similarities and intersections between autism spectrum disorders and comorbid conditions in children. It describes the prevalence and magnitude of comorbid conditions occurring in conjunction with autism spectrum disorders that complicate diagnosis and can potentially lead to inappropriate treatment and negative...
Many children with autism spectrum disorder have limited or absent speech and might therefore benefit from learning to use a speech-generating device. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a procedure aimed at teaching three children with autism spectrum disorder to use an iPad-based speech-generating device to make a...
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder who exhibit limited speech can learn to communicate by using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. The authors describe the case of Ian, a 10-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder who had learned to use an Apple iPod- and iPad-based speech-generating device, picture exchange,...
The authors surveyed New Zealand residential facilities and assisted-living programs for adults with intellectual disabilities to document the need for, and provision of, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Organizations (n = 100) registered to provide residential care or assisted living to adults with intellectual disabilities across...
Many individuals with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability are candidates for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The authors review two current trends in AAC research involving persons with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. The first trend is the use of smartphone and tablet devices in AAC interventions....
The authors compared how quickly two boys with developmental disabilities learned to use tangible symbols, picture exchange, and a direct selection response to access cartoon videos. Intervention, aimed at teaching the boys to use each option, was evaluated in a multiple-baseline across participants and alternating treatments design. Following intervention,...
Children with neurodevelopmental disorders often use little or no speech. Augmentative and alternative communication promotes functional communication by using nonspeech modes, but it might also influence natural speech production. To investigate this possibility, the authors provided augmentative and alternative communication intervention to two boys with neurodevelopmental disorders and...
The authors of this paper, which won the journal's Editor’s Award for the Best Research Article in 2014, reviewed nine studies that evaluate the use of tangible symbols in AAC interventions for a total of 129 individuals with developmental disabilities. Studies were summarized in terms of participants,...
This review examines ethnicity reporting in three autism-related journals (Autism, Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, and Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders) over a 6-year period. A comprehensive multistep search of articles is used to identify ethnicity as a demographic variable in these three journals. Articles that identified...
The authors used the paired-stimulus and multiple-stimulus without replacement preference assessment procedures to identify high and low preferred topographies of attention for two children with autism spectrum disorders. Both preference assessment formats identified the same high and low preferred forms of attention. A reinforcer assessment implemented during discrete trial training...
The authors measured generalization, maintenance, and parent reports of child happiness in the context of a behavioral intervention to teach toy-play skills to three young children with autism. Lag schedules of reinforcement were implemented for two participants whose play did not initially generalize. The play skills intervention was...
Post-coma patients in a minimally conscious state (MCS) or emerged/emerging from such state (E-MCS) who have extensive motor impairment and lack of speech may develop an active role and interact with their environment with the help of technology-aided intervention programs. Although a number of studies have...
This study assessed a microswitch-aided program for helping two persons with multiple disabilities who presented with head and shoulder posture problems to exercise a combination of appropriate head and arm movements. The program involved microswitches for monitoring participants' head and arm movements. A computer system recorded...
These two studies extended evidence on the effectiveness of microswitch-aided programs for promoting exercise of head movements through contingent stimulation with three participants (i.e., a man and two children) with multiple disabilities. The man and the child involved in Study I were to exercise head rotation movements from...
Interventions for post-coma persons, who have emerged from a minimally conscious state but present with extensive neuro-motor impairment and lack of or minimal verbal skills, need to promote occupation and communication through the use of assistive technology. These two studies assessed two technology-aided programs to promote leisure engagement...
Recent studies with three persons with multiple disabilities have indicated that smile expressions can be used as functional choice responses (i.e., occurring in relation to samples of preferred stimuli to be selected and absent in relation to samples of nonpreferred stimuli to be bypassed). The purpose of this study...
This paper provides an overview of microswitch-based programs for persons with multiple disabilities. Three types of programs are included in the overview: programs with only one microswitch to promote specific response engagement in relation to contingent environmental stimulation, programs with one or two microswitches to promote...
Recent literature has shown the possibility of enabling individuals with multiple disabilities to make telephone calls independently via computer-aided telephone technology. These two case studies assessed a modified version of such technology and a commercial alternative to it for a woman and a man with multiple disabilities. The modified version...
The purpose of this study was to extend the evidence on microswitch-aided programs in terms of participants involved and responses adopted. One of the two participants in this study was a woman with Rett syndrome. Adults with this syndrome have not been involved in microswitch programs and the possibility of...
The authors assessed whether three adults with multiple disabilities could use simple reminding technology to carry out daily activities at the appropriate times. The technology consisted of a Galaxy S-3 mini smartphone (by Samsung) with the application of (a) the talking alarm program for providing verbal instructions about the...
This study assessed a simple technology to enable two men affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in an advanced stage (i.e., with pervasive motor disabilities and lack of speech), to operate a computer-aided television system. The technology included microswitches, a portable computer, an interface connecting the microswitches to the computer,...
These two studies extended the assessment of programs recently developed for promoting activity and orientation in persons with moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, Study I pursued a new evaluation of a program, in which pictorial instructions of activity steps are presented on a computer screen at preset intervals. Study...
A learning test procedure based on operant principles may be useful in the diagnosis (and eventually rehabilitation) of post-coma persons with minimal responsiveness. This study aimed to extend the evaluation of such a procedure with seven participants who presented with very limited behavior and apparently severe disorders of consciousness....
The authors identified, summarized, and appraised the certainty of evidence for 12 studies investigating the use of music therapy for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The studies were summarized in terms of (a) participant characteristics, (b) dependent variables, (c) procedures, (d) results, and (e) certainty of evidence. A total of 147 participants...
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) applications may differ in their use of display and design elements. Using a multielement design, this study compared mand acquisition in three preschool-aged males with autism spectrum disorder, across three different displays in two iPad AAC applications. Displays included a widgit symbol button (GoTalk),...
The objective was to compare how quickly children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) acquired manual signs, picture exchange, and an iPad/iPod-based speech-generating device (SGD) and to compare whether children showed a preference for one of these options. Nine children with ASD and limited communication skills received intervention to...
The authors compared how quickly four boys with developmental disability or delay learned to use manual signing (MS), picture exchange (PE), and a speech-generating device (SGD) to request the continuation of toy play. Opportunities to choose to use MS, PE, and SGD were included to determine whether the boys...
This chapter presents an overview of studies that have evaluated the use of assistive technology to enable people with Alzheimer’s disease to maintain or enhance the quality of their lives despite neurodegeneration. The studies are divided into seven skill areas. The first group of studies shows that technology-aided...
This chapter provides an overview of studies that have evaluated the use of assistive technology to improve the communication functioning of individuals with specific types of communication disorders. The studies are divided into three groups based on the nature of the presenting communication disorder. The first group concerns studies that...
The book in which this chapter appears covers four thematic sections that reflect the view of autism along a continuum of presenting symptoms. Sections cover diagnosis, assessment, and measurement; evidence-based practices; health and development; and additional topics such as mindful caregiving and support and behavioral family intervention.
This chapter considers the nature of self-injurious behavior (SIB) and reviews evidence for treatments to reduce SIB among people with intellectual disabilities (ID). First, the chapter provides an overview of the definition of SIB and lists the most common forms of SIB among individuals with ID. It summarizes the prevalence...
The book in which this chapter appears covers four thematic sections that reflect the view of autism along a continuum of presenting symptoms. Sections cover diagnosis, assessment, and measurement; evidence-based practices; health and development; and additional topics such as mindful caregiving and support and behavioral family intervention.
This chapter provides a selective overview of the use of assistive technology to support people with diverse abilities who engage in problem behavior. The chapter begins with a description and definition of problem behavior. Next is an overview of the characteristics of the populations that have received assistive technology interventions...
Autism spectrum disorders are characterized by communication and social impairments and restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests. Children with autism also often engage in challenging behaviors such as tantrumming, elopement (e.g., leaving a designated area without adult supervision), aggression, and self-injury. These core deficits represent a significant...
According to the publisher, Guilford Press, the book in which this chapter appears "presents effective practices for helping people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to thrive in adulthood. As individuals with ASD mature, their needs change as well. The book reviews the growing research base and describes ways to...
This chapter reviews research involving the use of assistive technology (AT) to support and empower postsecondary students with disabilities. Three areas of research related to AT for postsecondary students are reviewed: (a) survey research to identify the types of AT options available, (b) intervention studies to evaluate the...
This chapter reviews research involving the use of assistive technology in the education and treatment of people with autism spectrum disorders. The chapter is organized in three sections corresponding to the most common uses of assistive technology for this population—to support or improve (a) communication skills, (b) social...
This chapter provides an overview of studies that focused on intervention programs and technological resources directed at enhancing the performance and achievement of people with severe and profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. The general goals of the studies included in the review were promoting adaptive behavior and environmental...
The authors adapted and piloted Collaborative Strategic Reading–High School, a reading comprehension intervention, with three high school students with autism spectrum disorder to investigate its effects on their reading comprehension. Using a nonconcurrent, multiple-baseline design, participants with autism spectrum disorder were paired with a neurologically typical (neurotypical) reading...
The number of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who enter secondary school settings and access the general education curriculum continues to grow. Many educators find they are not prepared to adapt their instruction to meet both state standards and the diverse needs of the full spectrum individuals with ASD,...
The outcomes of students with autism spectrum disorder are driving the field to address how secondary education might be optimally designed and delivered. The authors conducted 28 focus groups across four states to explore the contexts, considerations, and complexities associated with delivering and combining evidence-based interventions to meet the needs of...
Autism at-a-Glance is designed for high school staff members supporting students on the autism spectrum and family members of adolescents on the autism spectrum. Autism at-a-Glance provides a current summary of topics relevant to high school students on the autism spectrum and practical tips and resources for school and community...
The number of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who enter secondary schools and access the general education curriculum continues to grow. Many educators find they are not prepared to adapt their instruction to meet both state standards and the diverse needs of the full spectrum of individuals with ASD,...
Watch and listen to a parent's experiences in MCPER's Transition Research Excellence for Life-Long Independence With Supports (TRELLIS) project. Leah Rummel: Parent of Student
Watch and listen to community partners' experiences in MCPER's Transition Research Excellence for Life-Long Independence With Supports (TRELLIS) project. Patty Coffman: Executive Assistant, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin E.J. Patterson: Senior Assistant Director, Gregory Gym, The University of Texas at...
Watch and listen to project participants' job experiences in MCPER's Transition Research Excellence for Life-Long Independence With Supports (TRELLIS) project. Brandon Rummel's Job Trial Brandon Rummel's Trial Update, One Year Michael Carr's Job Trial
Watch and listen to university students share their perspectives about their participation in MCPER's Transition Research Excellence for Life-Long Independence With Supports (TRELLIS) project. Meaghan Latifi: Graduate Student, Department of Special Education Genessee Klemm and Stephanie Grasso: Graduate Students, Communication Sciences and Disorders Meaghan, Genessee, and Stephanie: Graduate Students'...
The Center on Secondary Education for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders (CSESA) is a 5-year project that brings together experts in autism, secondary education, adolescence, and implementation to work in collaboration with schools, families, adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and community members. CSESA is a priority for the...
Chelation is a treatment to remove specific metals from the body. In recent years, chelation has been used as a treatment for autism spectrum disorders. This review systematically identified studies that have evaluated the effects of chelation on the core symptoms of autism: communication impairments, social skills deficits, and repetitive...
Mollie Villeret Davis Lecture (March 2010) Ann Turnbull: Transitioning to Enviable Lives for Adults With Autism Ann Turnbull on behalf of Rud Turnbull: Beyond Evidence-Based Practice: Wisdom-Based Action as a Process of Facilitating IDEA Outcomes for Students and Quality of Life Outcomes for Families Videos and slides for each talk, as...
Mollie Villeret Davis Lecture (April 2009) Robert Horner: Applied Behavior Analysis.
Brown Bag Lecture (October 2010) Greg Allen: Investigating the Cerebellum in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Mollie Villeret Davis Lecture (April 2011) David Richman: Evidence Based Practices for Individuals With ASD
Brown Bag (December 2009) Ann Levine: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Screening, Assessment, and Treatment in the Under-Five Population
A meta-analysis of 25 intervention studies found 3 studies that reported sensory integration therapy as effective, 8 studies that reported mixed results, and 14 studies that indicated no benefits, suggesting that current evidence does not support the use of sensory integration therapy in education and treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders.
The book in which this chapter appears describes research-based methods of teaching students with severe disabilities, including students with autism and functional skill needs. The book reflects the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 in all chapters, particularly those that deal with transition and families. The book, which reinforces...
Children who have autism require comprehensive educational and treatment services. There are a myriad of approaches currently recommended to practitioners and parents, but little is known about their efficacy. Which are the most effective in teaching skills, overcoming behavior challenges, and improving quality of life? Methods must be based in...
Play is widely acknowledged to be an integral part of human development and children with autism often experience substantial delays in the development of play behaviors. This review updates older reviews by covering the last 10 years of research targeting functional and symbolic play in children with autism. The review differs...
Studies involving physical exercise and individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) were reviewed. Systematic search procedures identified 18 studies meeting predetermined inclusion criteria. These studies were evaluated in terms of: (a) participant characteristics, (b) type of exercise, (c) procedures used to increase exercise, (d) outcomes, and (e) research methodology. Across the...
Skin-picking is a type of self-injurious behavior involving the pulling, scratching, lancing, digging, or gouging of one's own body. It is associated with social impairment, and increased medical and mental health concerns. While there are several reports showing that skin-picking is common in individuals with developmental disabilities, knowledge about...
Background: Little is known about behavioural flexibility in children and adults with Angelman syndrome and whether people with this syndrome have more or less problems in being behaviourally flexible as compared with other people. Method: Behavioural flexibility scores were assessed in 129 individuals with Angelman syndrome using 11 items from the Behavioural...
Hand mouthing is highly prevalent in individuals with severe to profound developmental disabilities. Frequent hand mouthing may interfere with appropriate responding, have negative health impacts, and result in restrictive interventions, such as the application of arm splints, to prevent this challenging behavior. The continuous application of arm splints can have...
A Social StoriesTM intervention package was used to teach 2 students with autism to read Social Stories, answer comprehension questions, and engage in role plays. Appropriate social behaviors increased and inappropriate behaviors decreased for both participants, and the effects were maintained for up to 10 months. This intervention package appears to be...
Marlene Wyatt is the mother of three children ages 5 and under. Her middle child, Liz, who is approaching her third birthday, has an autism spectrum disorder. There is never an unclaimed minute at home or work for Marlene. Her husband frequently works overnight and weekend shifts. Marlene works as a...
The authors reviewed communication intervention studies involving people with Rett syndrome. Systematic searches of five electronic databases, selected journals, and reference lists identified nine studies meeting the inclusion criteria. These studies were evaluated in terms of: (a) participant characteristics, (b) target skills, (c) procedures, (d) main findings, and (e)...
The authors reviewed intervention studies on teaching augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to deaf–blind individuals. Studies meeting pre-determined inclusion-exclusion criteria were identified through electronic databases and hand searching and were summarized in terms of: (a) participants, (b) AAC mode, (c) target skills, (d) intervention procedures, and (e) main...
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