We implemented tact matrix training to teach tacts of spatial locations to four children (male, 4-7 years of age) on the autism spectrum in China. The experimental design involved a multiple-probe design across participants with pre- and postinstruction probes on untaught tacts and listener responses. Learning outcomes included taught tacts of…

Behavioral skills training (BST) delivered synchronously via telecommunication (telehealth) has been shown to be effective for training mediators supporting children with autism. A limitation in the literature is that many published training protocols are evaluated under analogue or highly controlled conditions; therefore, further evaluation is…

Given the high risk of drowning among children with autism, there is a need for disseminating water safety education into mainstream settings. The current study explored the effectiveness of behavioral skills training (BST) in teaching water safety skills to 3 U.S. children with autism, when implemented by community-based swim instructors with no…

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…

There are several considerations to address when conducting functional communication training for challenging behavior in a school setting, such as the need for schedule thinning and maintenance across staff and the need to establish a variety of appropriate classroom skills. There are several strategies for conducting schedule thinning following…

We examined the effectiveness of coaching on caregiver implementation of responding to joint attention (RJA) intervention for toddlers with autism. We used a nonconcurrent multiple-baseline across participants single-case research design to examine the relation between coaching practices and caregivers' RJA intervention implementation behaviors.…

Social skills group training is frequently used to support autistic children and adolescents in coping with everyday social demands and expectations. Meta-analytic studies suggest small to medium effect sizes. Effect moderators must be better understood to inform implementation and allow optimization of intervention protocols. Using data from two…

While studies to map the priorities of the autistic community have been undertaken in some high-income countries, there has been little or no such systematic assessment in the global south. India alone is home to an estimated >5 million autistic individuals. To address this gap in the literature, this study conducted a survey of the Indian…

Purpose: Social skills difficulties among children on the autism spectrum can impede social, emotional, and academic development, especially with increasing age and social demands. This pilot study examined the efficacy of a 5-week skill-building program for children on the autism spectrum. Although effective social skills programs are available…

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of parent training via telehealth to decrease noncompliance in 3 children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder using the Applied Behavior Analytic (ABA) technique, Behavior Skills Training. Behavior Skills Training includes four critical components: instructions, modeling, rehearsal, and…

This applied dissertation was designed to evaluate the effects of social skills training programs as a method to improve social skills in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The study sought to advance the social skills training options for children with autism spectrum disorder by comparing various evidence-based social skills…

Taking the visual perspective of another individual is an important skill in social communication, and is termed visual perspective-taking (VPT). Individuals with autism spectrum disorder who have deficits in social interaction show relatively lower performance on VPT tasks than individuals who achieve age-appropriate developmental milestones.…

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the evidence-based treatment for individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) that has the strongest evidence of positive effects on the ASD population. However, historically, ABA has developed a reputation of limited social validity, with Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) often being cited…

Social skills deficits are common for children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research indicates there is a need to continue to find ways to support parents in enhancing social skills acquisition in their children with ASD. The present study evaluated the effects of using behavioral skills training (BST), delivered via mobile…