Whether a child with autism spectrum disorder will exhibit observational learning may depend on their attention to and the stimulus modalities of the observed contingency. We used multiple-probe and repeated-acquisition designs to test observational learning across a diverse set of contingencies, which included hidden edible, hidden toy, hidden…

The study evaluated the efficacy of observational learning using the rival-model technique in teaching three children with autism to state metaphorical statements about emotions when provided a picture, as well as to intraverbally state an appropriate emotion when provided a scenario and corresponding metaphorical emotion. The results provide a…

Observational learning (OL) is critical for the acquisition of social skills and may be an important skill for learning in traditional educational settings. Although OL occurs during early childhood in the typically developing population, research suggests that it may be limited in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The…

Three children (ages 10-13) with moderate mental retardation were taught, in a triad, to perform chained snack preparation tasks, with each student being directly taught one task and the other two observing. Results indicated that each student learned the skill taught directly and nearly all of the steps of the chains observed. (Author/JDD)

Twelve proficient peer models without disabilities demonstrated a response chain for a targeted learning task each day and described the steps to three classmates with developmental disabilities, who observed. The peer models performed the response chains accurately and quickly and the students with disabilities acquired the response chains. (DB)