The Effects of Using Adapted Science eBooks Within Shared Reading on Comprehension and Task Engagement of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of using adapted science eBooks within shared reading on comprehension and task engagement of high school students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A grade-level science textbook was selected and converted into an eBook format, incorporating various visual and auditory features (e.g.

Pepea Pamoja: Applying the Ecological Validity Framework to co-develop a wellbeing and behavioural training program for caregivers of young children with autism in low-resource settings of Kenya and the United States.

Background: Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disability with global prevalence of one in 100 individuals. Poor access to interventions in both under-resourced regions of high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries has deleterious effects on the health and wellbeing of individuals with autism and their families. Our objective was to utilize a reciprocal innovation framework and participatory methods to adapt and co-develop a culturally grounded group-based wellbeing and naturalistic developmental behavioural intervention (NDBI) training program for caregivers of young children with autism to be implemented in Kenya and rural Indiana.

The effects of service dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Service dogs are an increasingly popular complementary intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder. However, despite increasing demand, there remains a lack of empirical research on their potential benefits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of service dogs on children with autism and their caregivers.

The Type, Severity, and Impact of Sleep Problems in Children With Angelman Syndrome and Parental Help-seeking Patterns.

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare genetic developmental disability that presents with high rates of co-occurring sleep difficulties. Most existing research has focused on the pathophysiology of sleep problems in people with AS, and suggests that sleep problems are the result of genetic and neurobiological factors. However, little is known about the role of the social environment and learning in sleep problems in children with AS.

Exploring Subtypes of Repetitive Behavior in Children with Autism Through Functional Analysis and Wearable Technology: a Pilot Biobehavioral Assessment.

Objectives: Prior research has established assessment methodologies, such as functional analysis to identify specific contexts in which restricted and repetitive behavior (RRB) occurs, and measures of heart rate variability (HRV) to index the level of autonomic arousal in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Yet, a gap remains in integrating multiple assessment methodologies to examine the complex underlying mechanisms of RRB. This study piloted a multi-disciplinary approach to assess both the functional behavioral and neurophysiological factors that may underlie occurrences of RRB.

Telehealth Training in Naturalistic Communication Intervention for Mothers of Children with Angelman Syndrome.

Objectives : Young children with Angelman syndrome have significant delays in expressive communication. Parents of children with Angelman syndrome require training to support their child's communication development. Unfortunately, parent training focused on the needs of families of children with rare genetic syndromes is unavailable to many families.

Training Medical Professionals to Work with Patients with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Patients with neurodevelopmental disorders are not always provided the quality of medical care they deserve. Medical personnel report limited preparation and education in caring for patients with neurodevelopmental disorders.  The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize the research on medical personnel training programs, identify effective training methods, and provide directions for future application and research.

A Pilot Evaluation of a Treatment Package to Teach Social Conversation via Video-Chat.

By engaging with family members through video-chat technology, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may access additional opportunities to develop social connections to build familial cohesion and access emotional support. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a behavioral intervention package in teaching social conversation via video-chat. Using a non-concurrent multiple-baseline across participants with an embedded alternating treatments design, three seven-year-old males with ASD were taught two variations of a social conversation.

The Use of Differential Reinforcement of Other Behaviours to Establish Inhibitory Stimulus Control for the Management of Vocal Stereotypy in Children with Autism.

Objective: This study examined the efficacy of an inhibitory stimulus control procedure (ISCP) for the management of vocal stereotypy in three children with autism.

Method: During discrimination training, implemented within a changing criterion design, participants were taught that there were no consequences for vocal stereotypy in the absence of an inhibitory stimulus but that differential reinforcement procedures were in effect in the presence of the stimulus. Functional control of the inhibitory stimulus was subsequently assessed within a reversal design.

Further examination of video-based preference assessments without contingent access.

The first purpose of this study was to attempt to replicate previous findings that video-based preference assessments without access to selected stimuli may accurately predict relative reinforcing efficacy of stimuli. To do this, we conducted a concurrent operant reinforcer assessment in which we evaluated the relative reinforcing value of highly preferred and less preferred items identified in a video-based preference assessment. The second purpose of this study was to begin to evaluate the potential behavioral mechanisms responsible for the validity of this assessment.

Interventionist Acquisition of Incidental Teaching Using Pyramidal Training via Telehealth.

We investigated the effects of a telehealth pyramidal training package on participants' implementation of incidental teaching. A total of eight adults worked with eight children with autism. Coaches were first taught to implement incidental teaching and then taught subsequent interventionists.

The Effects of a Shared Reading Intervention on Narrative Story Comprehension and Task Engagement of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a shared reading intervention on narrative story comprehension and task engagement of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A single-case multiple baseline design was used, and three elementary-aged students with ASD participated in this study. The shared reading intervention included before, during, and after reading strategies (i.

Introduction to the Special Issue: Interventions to Reduce Challenging Behavior Among Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is on the rise. In addition to the social communication skill deficits and restrictive repetitive behaviors and interests, many individuals with ASD engage in challenging behavior. Challenging behavior is associated with a multitude of negative outcomes.

Transferring picture exchange requests to receptive identification for children with ASD.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a procedure to transfer stimulus control from picture exchange requests to receptive identification. Three children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and absent receptive identification repertoires participated. An adapted alternating treatment design was used.

Introduction to the Special Issue: Interventions to Reduce Challenging Behavior Among Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is on the rise. In addition to the social communication skill deficits and restrictive repetitive behaviors and interests, many individuals with ASD engage in challenging behavior. Challenging behavior is associated with a multitude of negative outcomes.

A Systematic Review of Parent-Implemented Functional Communication Training for Children With ASD.

Supporting parents in reducing challenging behavior of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) requires the identification of effective, feasible, and sustainable interventions. Functional communication training (FCT) is one of the most well-established interventions in the behavioral literature and is used increasingly by parents. However, there is a need for additional evaluation of the literature related to parent-implemented FCT.

Trial-Based Functional Analysis Informs Treatment for Vocal Scripting.

Research on trial-based functional analysis has primarily focused on socially maintained challenging behaviors. However, procedural modifications may be necessary to clarify ambiguous assessment results. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the utility of iterative modifications to trial-based functional analysis on the identification of putative reinforcement and subsequent treatment for vocal scripting.

Using videos to assess preference for novel stimuli in children with autism.

A primary effort of preference assessment research has been to develop strategies to identify potential reinforcers for educational, social, and behavioral programming for individuals with disabilities, including children with autism. However, little attention has been paid to the identification of preferred stimuli children with autism may not have previous experience with. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which a video-based preference assessment may accurately identify preference for novel stimuli.

An examination of within-session responding following access to reinforcing stimuli.

Previous research has shown tangibly maintained challenging behavior can be temporarily decreased by providing presession access to the relevant tangible. However, the duration of this beneficial effect is unknown. We measured the subsequent duration of behavior reduction effects following presession access during extended classroom observation sessions by analyzing within-session patterns of responding in three children with autism.

Evaluating the Accuracy of Results for Teacher Implemented Trial-Based Functional Analyses.

Trial-based functional analysis (TBFA) allows for the systematic and experimental assessment of challenging behavior in applied settings. The purposes of this study were to evaluate a professional development package focused on training three Head Start teachers to conduct TBFAs with fidelity during ongoing classroom routines. To assess the accuracy of the TBFA results, the effects of a function-based intervention derived from the TBFA were compared with the effects of a non-function-based intervention.

Introduction to the special issue: behavioral interventions to enhance academic outcomes.

The purpose of Behavior Modification's special issue on academics is to feature a collection of studies involving behavioral interventions designed to improve academic outcomes. Studies published in this special issue address a variety of academic subjects (e.g.

Effects of antecedent exercise on academic engagement and stereotypy during instruction.

Antecedent physical exercise has emerged as a potentially promising treatment for reducing challenging behavior and increasing academic behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of physical exercise conducted prior to instructional sessions (antecedent physical exercise) on academic engagement and stereotypy during instructional sessions for two children diagnosed with ASD. Functional analysis results suggested stereotypy was maintained by automatic reinforcement for both participants.

An evaluation of speech production in two boys with neurodevelopmental disorders who received communication intervention with a speech-generating device.

Background: Children with neurodevelopmental disorders often present with little or no speech. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) aims to promote functional communication using non-speech modes, but it might also influence natural speech production.

Method: To investigate this possibility, we provided AAC intervention to two boys with neurodevelopmental disorders and severe communication impairment.