Results of the study involving three autistic Ss (four to six-years-old) showed rapid acquisition of target behaviors only when the target behavior was a direct part of the chain leading to the reinforcer. (Author)

Investigated whether (1) a highly discriminable treatment procedure in one setting would produce a behavioral contrast effect in unmanipulated settings, and whether (2) such contrast-like trends could be eliminated if initially different reinforcement procedures in two settings were subsequently made similar. (Author/DB)

Three studies compared the amount of social avoidance behavior by mentally retarded autistic children (N=10 and ages 4-13 years) during either appropriate child-preferred activities or adult determined activities. Results revealed a negative correlation between child-preferred behaviors and social avoidance behaviors. (Author/DB)

Appropriate play with toys was studied in two autistic children (8 and 6-years-old) with high occurrences of self-stimulatory behavior. (Author/CL)

The study assessed whether 4 students (ages 9-13) with severe autistic disabilities could learn to use a self-management treatment package to reduce stereotypic behavior. Use of the procedures greatly reduced levels of stereotypic behavior. Improvement also occurred for extended periods of time in new settings without the presence of a treatment…

A two-part study of 10 autistic children (mean age 10.5 years) was designed to assess the transfer of treatment gains across settings. (Author/SB)

This manual presents a training methodology for use in changing pivotal behaviors of children with autism or other severe handicaps. Behaviors specifically addressed for their far ranging effects involve motivation and responsivity to multiple cues. Seven instructional points are detailed with both good and poor implementation examples. The manual…

Article provides a definition for diagnosing children as autistic and describes the positive effect behavior modification has had on the education of the autistic child. (Author/RK)

This study of teaching methods in language interventions with three preschool children with autism found greater improvements in responding and considerably less disruptive behavior during the natural language (using functional stimuli and natural reinforcers) teaching condition compared to the traditional language condition. (Author/DB)

This article presents an overview of several pivotal response interventions. Areas discussed include responsivity to multiple cues, motivation to initiate and respond appropriately to social and environmental stimuli, and self-regulation of behaviors. The trend to streamline intervention by targeting behaviors that have a widespread effect on…

A study involving 6 children with autism investigated whether self-initiations might be associated with highly favorable post-intervention outcomes. Results found that children who had highly favorable outcomes exhibited more spontaneous self-initiations at pre-intervention. Further study indicated children could learn a variety of…