Reinforcing conversation skills with access to a preferred topic

Document Type

Poster

Department

Psychology

Conference Title

Association for Behavior Analysis

Location

Seattle, WA

Conference Dates

May 25-29, 2012

Date of Presentation

5-25-2012

Abstract

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) may have difficulty maintaining conversation partners because of a tendency to dwell on certain topics in conversation. The purpose of this study was to increase on-topic conversing of an individual with an ASD. The intervention was based on assessment results that showed that differential attention provided by the conversation partner was insufficient to maintain high levels of on-topic conversation and suggested that access to preferred topics of conversation would serve as a reinforcer. During treatment, on-topic conversation resulted in a period during which the conversation topic was selected by the participant. We signaled the contingency using a 2-sided color card and gradually thinned the schedule of reinforcement. Treatment produced desirable levels of on-topic conversation across a variety of topics. This study demonstrates improvement in conversation skills by manipulating choice of topic, a naturally occurring aspect of the conversation.

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