Lisa M. Tereshko, Mary Jane Weiss, Justin B. Leaf, Thomas Marsh, George McClure
{"title":"Comparison of Descriptive Assessment and Trial-Based Functional Analysis as the Basis of Treatment in Homes","authors":"Lisa M. Tereshko, Mary Jane Weiss, Justin B. Leaf, Thomas Marsh, George McClure","doi":"10.1177/10883576241230929","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10883576241230929","url":null,"abstract":"Effective treatment of challenging behaviors in young children with autism spectrum disorder requires identifying consequences that maintain the behavior under specific environmental circumstances. Assessment strategies help to identify environmental factors setting the occasion for the behaviors to continue to occur. Many studies have used antecedent–behavior–consequence (ABC) data collection strategies, but few have examined its ability to effectively identify the function. Research supports the use of the trial-based functional analysis (TBFA) but few studies examine its effectiveness in the home setting. The current study attempted to answer which assessments might work best in the home setting. Treatment was implemented for each participant based on the results of their assessments. All assessments identified the function of behavior as verified by function-based treatments, but the ABC assessment identified additional functions for three of the participants while the TBFA was more precise. Implications and limitations are reviewed, along with future directions for behavioral assessment in the home.","PeriodicalId":12133,"journal":{"name":"Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139949917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Teba Hamodat, Helen E Flanagan, Dorothy Chitty, Isabel M. Smith
{"title":"Effects of Brief Parent Coaching on the Communication Skills of Preschoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Limited Verbal Ability","authors":"Teba Hamodat, Helen E Flanagan, Dorothy Chitty, Isabel M. Smith","doi":"10.1177/10883576241228592","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10883576241228592","url":null,"abstract":"The publicly funded early intervention program for preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Nova Scotia, Canada, uses the pivotal response treatment (PRT) model. Parents are coached in use of PRT strategies during their children’s first week of treatment. We explored whether parents of older preschoolers with limited verbal ability learned to implement PRT strategies with fidelity after brief coaching and whether PRT strategy use was associated with gains in children’s communication skills. We coded precoaching and postcoaching parent–child play episodes of 39 children (4.4–5.5 years) with limited verbal skills for parents’ PRT fidelity and children’s correct responding to language opportunities and frequency of initiations. Parents’ use of PRT strategies significantly improved, as did children’s responsiveness to parent-provided language opportunities. This study provides evidence for the utility of brief parent coaching in PRT for older preschoolers with ASD whose verbal skills are limited.","PeriodicalId":12133,"journal":{"name":"Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139795281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Teba Hamodat, Helen E Flanagan, Dorothy Chitty, Isabel M. Smith
{"title":"Effects of Brief Parent Coaching on the Communication Skills of Preschoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Limited Verbal Ability","authors":"Teba Hamodat, Helen E Flanagan, Dorothy Chitty, Isabel M. Smith","doi":"10.1177/10883576241228592","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10883576241228592","url":null,"abstract":"The publicly funded early intervention program for preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Nova Scotia, Canada, uses the pivotal response treatment (PRT) model. Parents are coached in use of PRT strategies during their children’s first week of treatment. We explored whether parents of older preschoolers with limited verbal ability learned to implement PRT strategies with fidelity after brief coaching and whether PRT strategy use was associated with gains in children’s communication skills. We coded precoaching and postcoaching parent–child play episodes of 39 children (4.4–5.5 years) with limited verbal skills for parents’ PRT fidelity and children’s correct responding to language opportunities and frequency of initiations. Parents’ use of PRT strategies significantly improved, as did children’s responsiveness to parent-provided language opportunities. This study provides evidence for the utility of brief parent coaching in PRT for older preschoolers with ASD whose verbal skills are limited.","PeriodicalId":12133,"journal":{"name":"Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139855046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Erica B. McClure, Robert C. Pennington, Stacy Crawford Bewley
{"title":"Evaluating the Evidence-Base Supporting Writing Instruction Strategies for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review of Experimental Research","authors":"Erica B. McClure, Robert C. Pennington, Stacy Crawford Bewley","doi":"10.1177/10883576231221980","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10883576231221980","url":null,"abstract":"Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often present with difficulties in writing performance. Despite the importance of writing to achieving positive academic, employment, and social outcomes, relatively little research has been conducted examining the effects of intervention on the writing performance of individuals with ASD. Previous reviews of research examining these interventions have not evaluated the quality and rigor of studies. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the extant writing intervention research for individuals with ASD using two sets of quality indicators to offer recommendations for practices and areas for future research.","PeriodicalId":12133,"journal":{"name":"Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139524483","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Campus-Based Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Programs: Predictors of College Students’ Intentions to Participate","authors":"McKenna M. Halverson, Sara E. Lowmaster","doi":"10.1177/10883576231221781","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10883576231221781","url":null,"abstract":"Peer mentors play a crucial role in campus-based living and support programs that assist autistic students in their transition to college. However, limited research has examined the characteristics of potential peer mentors and incentives that may be necessary to staff such programs. The present study evaluated the relationship between the characteristics of college students and their intention to participate in an autism spectrum disorder-specific living and support program. Undergraduate students ( N = 210; 83% females, Mage = 18.9 years, SD = 1.2) completed questionnaires assessing personality characteristics, acceptance of individuals with disabilities, and intrinsic and extrinsic motives for potential participation. Results suggest that participants would be highly motivated to participate if course credit toward their major or monetary incentives were offered. In addition, a history of contact with autistic individuals and agreeableness emerged as the most robust predictors of students’ intention to participate. Findings from this study may improve inclusivity on college campuses.","PeriodicalId":12133,"journal":{"name":"Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139380792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mixed Friendships in the Classroom: Perspectives of Neurotypical Children on Their Friends With ASD","authors":"Anat Kali, Esther Y. Scheiner","doi":"10.1177/10883576231221760","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10883576231221760","url":null,"abstract":"This case study of an inclusive classroom examined neurotypical (NT) children’s perspectives on their relationships with their classmates with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Data were collected through observations and interviews. Findings showed that social relationships between NT children and their classmates with ASD in integrated classrooms presented in two distinct forms, either as friendships or as instrumental partnerships. We also examined four naturally occurring mixed friendships between young children with and without disabilities. In these mixed dyads, several factors influenced the quality of the friendships, including the opportunity to engage in similar activities, the social status of the NT child, and the social skills of both children. Educational implications and suggestions for further research are included.","PeriodicalId":12133,"journal":{"name":"Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139384545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sara K. Snyder, Jessica L. Herrod, Erinn E. Whiteside, Kevin M. Ayres
{"title":"Functional Communication Training Including Discrimination and Tolerance to Denial for Elementary Age Students With Autism","authors":"Sara K. Snyder, Jessica L. Herrod, Erinn E. Whiteside, Kevin M. Ayres","doi":"10.1177/10883576231223154","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10883576231223154","url":null,"abstract":"Functional communication training (FCT) provides an efficient means for reducing a variety of challenging behaviors while increasing social communication. After establishing a functional communication response (FCR), interventionists may need to design a program to thin the schedule of reinforcement to provide more durable effects and maintenance in the natural environment. Hanley et al. provided one means for thinning schedules that involved the systematic introduction of extinction (or denial trials) following a process of delaying reinforcement. This study evaluates a classroom application of this thinning process with three elementary age students who engaged in a variety of aggression, self-injury, disruption, and crying. The results indicate positive effects of the FCT program with systematic introduction of denial trials once the participants demonstrated proficiency with the FCR. In addition, data for two participants show prolonged effects post-intervention. Results are discussed in terms of extending Hanley et al. and how these procedures can be used within typical school-based settings.","PeriodicalId":12133,"journal":{"name":"Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139129010","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Affiliate Stigma and Parental Stress Among Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Mediating Role of Shame","authors":"Daiana Maria Rusu, Dejan Stevanović, V. Enea","doi":"10.1177/10883576231221751","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10883576231221751","url":null,"abstract":"Parental stress among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is well-documented in the literature. This study investigated the relationship between the phenomenon of affiliate stigma and parental stress among parents of children diagnosed with ASD using the mediation model. This cross-sectional study involved 196 parents aged between 22 and 65 years, with a child diagnosed with ASD, their ages being between 2 and 22 years. The correlations between affiliate stigma, shame, and parental stress were confirmed. Therefore, affiliate stigma was positively associated with shame and parental stress. The results also indicated that the relationship between the phenomenon of affiliate stigma and parental stress is mediated by shame. A practical implication of our findings is that parents of children with ASD participating in stress-reducing interventions should be trained on how to cope with feelings of shame.","PeriodicalId":12133,"journal":{"name":"Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139131001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Janine P. Stichter, Nargiza Buranova, Melissa Stormont
{"title":"An Exploration of a General Social Outcome Measure","authors":"Janine P. Stichter, Nargiza Buranova, Melissa Stormont","doi":"10.1177/10883576231221747","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10883576231221747","url":null,"abstract":"The General Social Outcome Measure (GSOM) is a performance-based measurement tool designed to assess the change in social skills performance during and after intervention for students with social skills deficits. In the current study, the psychometric properties of the GSOM, including the total score and social communication domains, were examined in adolescents with social skill deficits. Internal consistency alphas were conducted, which showed promising results. Correlational analyses were conducted using the GSOM and the Children’s Communication Checklist-2 (CCC-2), School Social Behavior Scales (SSBS), and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule–Second Edition (ADOS-2). A small but significant correlation was documented between the GSOM and the ADOS-2, with higher GSOM total scores (higher social skills) associated with lower ADOS-2 scores. Additional analyses revealed that individuals with different levels of symptomology according to the ADOS-2 (low, moderate, or high) differed significantly in the GSOM total score. The implications of these findings are discussed with respect to the utility of the GSOM as a progress-monitoring tool for targeted populations with social skill impairments.","PeriodicalId":12133,"journal":{"name":"Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139137858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Contribution of Family-Centered Services to Enhanced Quality of Life and Reduced Distress in Families of Children With Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"Ayelet Gur, Tali-Noy Hindi, Lilach Krisi-Kadosh","doi":"10.1177/10883576231202700","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10883576231202700","url":null,"abstract":"This study examines family distress and quality of life among families of children with disabilities during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel. It considers the role of family resources, a sense of community, and the services provided by the Israeli family-centered program (IFCP). One hundred eighty-two parents of children with disabilities participated in this study through an online survey. Structural equation modeling showed that extensive family resources, better operation of the IFCP, and a sense of community were associated with a better quality of life. Lack of family resources was associated with family distress. A regression-based path analysis indicated that this association was moderated by components of the IFCP. Family-centered services were associated with a family’s quality of life and experience of distress in times of national crisis. The results highlight the importance of the partnership between parents of children with disabilities and service providers.","PeriodicalId":12133,"journal":{"name":"Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135351242","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}