Teaching an Adult with ASD Independent Toileting Skills.

Independence with the toilet is an important life skill. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may present with several deficits that impair their ability to independently use the toilet and often individuals with ASD require more support than is provided in typical toilet training methods, including behavioral toilet training methods. This current study is a demonstration of the use of an intensive toilet training procedure with one eighteen-year-old adult male with ASD and below-average levels of adaptive functioning to successfully void in the toilet and reduce accidents.

Perceptions of Behaviors Associated with ASD in Others: Knowledge of the Diagnosis Increases Empathy and Improves Perceptions of Warmth and Competence.

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often exhibit atypical social behaviors that some may perceive as odd or discomforting. Given that ASD is largely invisible, it may be difficult to understand why a person is displaying these atypical behaviors, leading to less favorable attitudes. The current study aimed to examine if having an explanation for an individual exhibiting behaviors associated with ASD could improve perceptions of warmth and competence, as well as the amount of empathy felt towards the individual.

Functional analysis and treatment of the diurnal bruxism of a 16-year-old girl with autism.

Bruxism is defined as the clenching and grinding of teeth. This study used a functional analysis to examine whether the bruxism of a 16-year-old girl with autism was maintained by automatic reinforcement or social consequences. A subsequent component analysis of the intervention package described by Barnoy, Najdowski, Tarbox, Wilke, and Nollet (2009) showed that a vocal reprimand (e.