Assessment and Treatment of Arranging and Ordering in Individuals with Autism

Document Type

Conference Presentation

Department

Psychology

Conference Title

Association for Behavior Analysis

Location

San Antonio, TX

Conference Dates

May 28 - June 1, 2010

Date of Presentation

5-28-2010

Abstract

Among the diagnostic features of autism, relatively little research has been devoted to restrictive and repetitive behavior, particularly, forms of repetitive behavior that have been described as “higher-level” (e.g., rigidity in routines or “compulsive” behavior such as arranging objects in patterns or rows; Turner, 1999). Like vocal or motor stereotypy, higher-level repetitive behavior can be associated with negative outcomes such as impaired skill acquisition, negative social consequences, and severe problem behavior associated with interruption of stereotyped behavior. In the present study, we extended the functional assessment model to the assessment and treatment of arranging and ordering in individuals diagnosed with autism. Specifically, we (a) gathered information through interviews and direct observation, regarding environmental events associated with the problem behavior (b) experimentally manipulated a subset of environmental events to determine their effects on arranging and ordering, and then (c) developed interventions based on results of our experimental analyses. Results of our study will be discussed in the context of three individuals who received treatment for arranging and ordering and other repetitive behavior. IOA was collected on 30% of sessions and exceeded 80%.

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