Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions target developmentally appropriate skills in young children with autism spectrum disorders using behavioral techniques in naturalistic interactions. Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions demonstrate strong empirical support and frequently utilize caregiver training of intervention…

This study investigated the effects of behavioral skills training (BST) with video modeling and in situ training on workplace conversational skills of four transition-age students with autism enrolled in a U.S. community-based internship program. Intervention sessions began with BST, which included direct instruction, video modeling,…

Communication intervention in early life can significantly impact long-term outcomes for young children with autism. Parents can be vital resources in the midst of the current manpower shortage. "Map4speech" is a new mobile application developed for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. It is specially designed to provide…

To support children with autism in inclusive classrooms, schools are increasingly utilizing paraprofessionals. However, research suggests that paraprofessionals often lack sufficient training and may inadvertently hinder the social interactions between children with disabilities and their peers. This study used a multiple baseline across…

A study investigated the nature of the social construction of play events by a group of twelve 4- and 5-year-old children and the ways in which these play constructions are maintained over an extended period of time. The 5-month study was conducted in a nursery school classroom during the children's self-selected playtime. Data collection included…

Effects of self-monitoring on generalization and maintenance of conversational skills (asking directed and nondirected questions and answering directed questions) of two mentally retarded women was examined. Following addition of self-monitoring to training programs, skills were maintained for six months including the untrained behavior of…

This study of social referencing in parent/child dyads found that 20 nondisabled children (ages 6-27 months) showed evidence of behavior regulation, touching positive-message toys more often than fearful-message toys, whereas a group of 20 children (ages 15-54 months) with developmental delays did not. (Author/JDD)

A 5-week study was conducted to examine the acquainting process--changes that occur as a relationship between two strangers develops. Fifty subjects were paired in same sex dyads and were asked to talk to one another once a week for half-hour periods. The unstructured conversations were tape-recorded and questionnaires were administered to the…

Describes the use of dyadic tasks to examine children's prosocial behavior and the supplement information already obtained from the use of four-person tasks. Describes tasks and information obtained from observation. Warns that validity of the tasks is questionable. Suggests that tasks have the potential for use in making comparisons. (KO)

Analyzed records of Slovene children's speech from a linguistic point of view and established differences in communication patterns with regard to the children's ages and the type of symbolic play. Found a shift in play from make-believe with regard to objects to roleplay related to social context. The older the child, the more language functions…

This study investigated the connection between self-disclosure and stages in development of interpersonal relationships. It hypothesized that self-disclosure in relationships is of a dynamic character which works in two directions: towards the interaction partner, and in the opposite direction. The study proposed three stages in the development of…

Examined the role of pretend play interactions in stimulating social and emotional competence by comparing the quality of pretend and nonpretend social play. Found that pretend play involved more complex, mutually responsive, and emotionally invested social interaction than nonpretend play. Expression of psychosocial issues within pretense was…

A study was conducted to examine the effects of child abuse and neglect on children's nonverbal behaviors. It was hypothesized that abused and neglected children would be less active nonverbally than would control group children. Eight abused and neglected children, aged one through three years, were videotaped interacting with their caregivers in…