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…

The prevention of elopement is clearly a high priority for teachers, parents, and administrators. The dangers of elopement are well documented, and according to one study, more than half of the children with autism were reported to engage in elopement, with a substantial risk for bodily harm (Anderson et al., 2012). Moreover, children who elope or…

This clinical case study investigated the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention for a child with autism and anxiety-related problem behavior that integrated components of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) with positive behavior support (PBS). One child with autism and his family participated. The dependent variable was the number of steps…

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)

Cognitive-behavioral treatments (CBTs) are widely used for anxiety disorders in typically developing children; however, there has been no previous attempt to administer CBT for specific phobia (in this case study, one-session treatment) to developmentally or intellectually disabled children. This case study integrates both cognitive-behavioral and…

The study examined effects of aversive taste treatment of thumb sucking on untreated habitual hair pulling by two young males (ages 2 and 5). Concomitant with successful treatment of thumb sucking, hair pulling was also eliminated. Results suggest an efficient method for changing behaviors that are difficult to treat directly. (Author/JW)

Sixteen published empirical studies are reviewed in which high-probability request sentencing was used to increase compliance to requests in children 8 years of age and younger. Results across the studies show effectiveness of the technique. A theoretical framework, methodological adequacies, utility, and implications for research are addressed.…

Treatment involving verbal reprimands, physical restraint, response interruption, and positive practice overcorrection resulted in rapid and dramatic decreases in the levels of pica and self-stimulation of a 4-year-old profoundly retarded girl. (CL)

A study investigated the efficacy of texture fading in the treatment of food selectivity displayed by four children (ages 2-5). Successful treatment involved the gradual addition of higher textures based on results of periodic probes. Food acceptance and swallowing were reinforced, while food refusal and expulsion were placed on extinction.…

Three self-stimulating behaviors of a 6-year-old autistic boy were brought under S-delta stimulus control (a type of discriminative stimulus in the presence of which a given response is punished). (Author/DLS)

The study compared the effects of two forms of intervention on a three-year-old autistic female. Marked improvement in tantrum control, expressive language, and reduced obsessional behaviors were associated with the use of behavior management techniques, whereas developmental stimulation through play and positive adult contact produced no…

Noting that maturation, biological reading potential, and a number of parenting strategies can help young children become eager, competent readers, this paper lists the strategies two parents used to facilitate their daughter's reading competence. Thirty strategies are listed, each one accompanied by the appropriate learning principle. Included…

This study of five young children with developmental delays or chronic health problems and with aberrant behaviors identified reinforcers that maintained aberrant behavior, used functional communication training to teach participants to gain reinforcement using mands, and implemented treatment involving choice making via manding. (JDD)

The treatment combined extinction of the injurious behavior and reinforcement of alternative behavior and was successful in the controlled hospital environment. However, an attempt to teach the parents to continue the treatment at home failed. Journal Availability: J. B. Lippincott Co., East Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19105 (Author/DLS)

The monograph describes a systematic attempt to develop language behavior in a nonverbal autistic 4.5-year-old boy who was essentially unresponsive to environmental stimuli of any kind. The 45-session intervention focused on teaching him to attend, increasing his responsiveness to people, effecting discriminative responses to a variety of…