Noncontingent reinforcement competes with response performance.

Noncontingent reinforcement is a commonly used procedure to decrease levels of problem behavior. Goals of this intervention are to decrease motivation, responding, and the functional relation between behavior and consequences, but it could also possibly compete with performance of alternative desirable responses. In the current study, we assessed the effects of noncontingent reinforcement arranged from 0% to 100% of sessions on performance of alternative responding across two experiments.

Prevalence and Health Correlates of Overweight and Obesity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be at increased risk for overweight and obesity, but little information is known about correlates of overweight and obesity in this population. This study compared prevalence rates of parent-reported overweight and obesity and specific health behaviors (i.e.

Driven by evidence: diagnosis and treatment for children with autism spectrum disorders.

As the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders increases, practitioners across the state of Missouri face an increasing need to understand and provide evidence-based clinical care for these children and families. We describe the breadth of diagnosis and treatment services offered at Children's Mercy Hospital (Kansas City, Missouri), one of the designated Missouri Autism Centers, to demonstrate a model of implementation for evidence-based practice. Finally, we discuss relevant clinical considerations and provide resources for physicians to assist in the care and education of their patients.