Little is known about outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) into adulthood. Several characteristics of individuals with ASD predict long-term outcomes, and the family environment may also play a role. The present study uses a prospective, longitudinal design to describe and predict trajectories of autism symptoms and…

Functional analyses of problem behavior for 4 young boys with developmental delays showed that problem behaviors were maintained by both negative and positive reinforcement. Functional communication training was conducted with one set of training stimuli in which the child's mother presented a work task in the family living room. Pretreatment…

This paper describes a first grader, manifesting high rates of problem behaviors in school, who was involved in two separate behavior management programs. Discussion of general behavior modification principles did not reduce problem behavior, but problem behaviors decreased considerably after daily letters from the teacher were sent to the child's…

Studies the effects of training a mother in increase praise statements and decrease reprimands on the rate of her daughter's noncompliant behavior. Results suggest that parent training is effective in reducing deviant child behavior, i.e., the use of positive reinforcement and the withholding of reprimands appeared to effect a marked reduction in…

A program to train lower socio-economic parents in more effective management of their preschool children was developed and evaluated. In the planning stage objectives were formulated and strategy designs set. The methodology consisted principally of programed text and videotape. Formative development and two evaluations produced and modified the…