Previous researchers have demonstrated that using stimuli identified via daily brief preference assessments may produce more responding under concurrent-schedule arrangements than using stimuli identified via lengthy, pre-treatment preference assessments (DeLeon et al., 2001). To date, this has not been evaluated within the context of skill…

A developmental milestone that both contributes to and facilitates a successful transition into adulthood is the ability to drive. Yet only one in three autistic adolescents successfully obtain a driver's license by age 21 compared to over three-fourths of non-autistic adolescents. Of those who receive their license, there is inconsistency in…

Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder are at high risk of being bullied, but research on teaching children with autism self-protection skills for bullying situations is scant. We taught five children self-protection skills for two types of bullying (threats and unkind remarks) and consecutive bullying occurrences. We first evaluated…

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face significant challenges in social reciprocity, which involves the mutual exchange of social cues and interactions. This study investigates the potential of using a child-height assistive robot named Rudolf to enhance the social reciprocity skills of children with ASD. The research focused…

Research shows that caregivers of children with autism can be taught a variety of behavioral strategies, but there is little research on teaching caregivers to prioritize rapport building over skill acquisition during play. The current study evaluated the effects of a digital training package on the rapport-building skills of four caregivers of…

Recent discourse has identified significant issues surrounding the lack of diversity in autism-related research. However, recent efforts have called for the regular use of diversity advisory boards (DAB) in autism-related research to improve the inclusivity of underrepresented and marginalized groups included in the growing autism scholarship.…

Oral care-related challenges are well documented in the autistic community. This review examined interventions designed to improve oral health in autistic individuals across the lifespan. Through a systematic process, 36 studies were identified which focused on improving home-based oral care skills and routines, and reducing fear, anxiety, and/or…

The adult service system does not adequately meet the needs of autistic adults, prompting families to continue their supportive roles. Siblings frequently assume these roles when parents are no longer able to do so, often without preparation or planning. We received feedback on the proposed Siblings FORWARD (Focusing on Relationships, Well-being,…

Background: The job interview can be challenging for autistic adolescents considering the required social communication skills. Further, having decreased awareness of personal strengths may make it difficult to advocate for oneself to a future employer. The purpose of the current pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to examine the…

Autistic children have significant difficulties in recognizing and labeling emotions, difficulties which may hinder the natural development of their ability to express and regulate further emotions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an augmented reality emotion recognition program (ARERP) delivered in a group format on the…

This study examined how faculty who teach in specialized undergraduate programs for autistic college students approach self-advocacy teaching. Test et al.'s (2005) conceptual framework of self-advocacy was used as a lens to investigate this topic. Through ten semistructured interviews, seven themes emerged to address two research questions: (a)…

Despite the popularity of social skills groups, there remains a need for empirical investigation of treatment effects, especially when targeting pivotal aspects of social functioning such as initiations to peers. The goal of the present study was to conduct a randomized controlled trial of a 12-week social intervention (SUCCESS), which combined an…

Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) typically have difficulties developing social skills and understanding the behavioral norms expected of them. As mainstreaming continues to expand, and many adolescents with ASD are integrated into regular schools, their education focuses on social and academic skills relevant for school life, but…

Technology is the most widely used tool in daily life activities in today's society. This is primarily due to its accessibility for all types of users and its ability to quickly respond to problems that arise in everyday tasks. Its widespread use is extending into various fields of knowledge, including education. Within this domain, the use of…

Conversational skills, which are essential for effective social interactions and typically pose difficulties for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), include abilities such as initiating topics, engaging in back-and-forth dialog, and responding to conversational cues. Chatbots have been used in mental health fields, and the development…