Using Goal Setting and Token Reinforcement to Increase Exercises by Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Engaging in regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) can result in improvements in health in many children and adults. The United States Department of Health and Human Services (2018) recommends that adults engage in 75–150 min of MVPA and 2 days of muscle-strengthening activities every week. Yet, many adults do not meet this recommendation and even fewer adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) meet this recommendation. Several behavioral interventions are effective in increasing MVPA, but few have targeted muscle-strengthening activities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate goal setting and token reinforcement to increase the frequency of exercises in adults with ASD. Two adults diagnosed with ASD participated in this study at a local dance studio. Using a multiple baseline design across exercises with a changing criterion design, we used goal setting and token reinforcement to systematically increase the frequency of muscle-strengthening exercises (e.g., pushups, bicep curls, modified squats, etc.). Both participants increased the frequency of the exercises according to the criteria changes until they met the terminal criterion for each exercise. Future directions for research and implications for practitioners were discussed.