Nicole C. Demchuk, Angelica Ibarra, Bethany A. Hansen
{"title":"A Stepwise Evaluation of Pairing and Shaping for Children With Autism and Feeding Difficulties","authors":"Nicole C. Demchuk, Angelica Ibarra, Bethany A. Hansen","doi":"10.1002/bin.70064","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.70064","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Feeding difficulties are pervasive for children with autism. The present study investigated the effects of a pairing intervention on cooperation with instructions/acceptance of new foods, inappropriate behaviors, proximity to therapist, and indices of happiness for two children with autism and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder. The researchers sought to examine the effects of an intervention package that did not require restrictive seating or nonremoval of the spoon while assessing caregiver acceptability throughout the procedures. When the pairing intervention alone was not effective to decrease inappropriate behaviors and increase acceptance of new foods, we implemented pairing with shaping procedures. Pairing with shaping was effective to increase acceptance of four new foods for one participant. For the other participant, we ultimately implemented nonremoval of the spoon procedures to increase acceptance of new foods and decrease inappropriate mealtime behaviors. Results have implications for the conditions under which interventions other than nonremoval of the spoon may increase acceptance of new foods for children with autism and feeding difficulties, and how efficacy and efficiency may impact caregiver acceptability.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47138,"journal":{"name":"Behavioral Interventions","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145595383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Preservice Special Education Teachers' Use of Behavior-Specific Praise: Effects on Middle School Students With Moderate Intellectual Disabilities","authors":"Orhan Çakıroğlu","doi":"10.1002/bin.70061","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.70061","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Behavior-specific praise (BSP) is an evidence-based strategy that reinforces appropriate student behavior and improves classroom engagement, yet its implementation remains inconsistent among preservice special education teachers. This study examines the effects of BSP training on the instructional practices of preservice special education teachers and the on-task behavior of middle school students with moderate intellectual disabilities. This study employed a single-subject multiple-baseline design, wherein three preservice teachers received structured training, real-time coaching, and performance feedback to enhance BSP implementation. Results showed increased BSP implementation among preservice teachers, highlighting the need for ongoing support to sustain these practices.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47138,"journal":{"name":"Behavioral Interventions","volume":"40 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145572145","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Factors Impacting Data Reliability: Rate and Total Behaviors","authors":"Brittney N. Workman, Samantha L. Hardesty","doi":"10.1002/bin.70059","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.70059","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Direct observation and measurement of behavior are the cornerstones of effective research and practice in applied behavior analysis (ABA). Despite the importance of data collection, little research is available to guide behavior analysts on issues, such as accuracy, as it relates to data collection integrity. In this paper we examined the extent to which observer reliability is influenced by observer load (i.e., the number of behaviors being simultaneously recorded) and response rate. Results show that both load and response rate may impact the reliability of data collected by newly trained direct care staff. Implications for the design of data collection systems will be discussed, as well as additional considerations and future directions needed on the topic of data collection integrity.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47138,"journal":{"name":"Behavioral Interventions","volume":"40 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145521840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Emily L. Ferris, Nicole M. Rodriguez, Ryan Thomas, James E. Gehringer
{"title":"Using Fully Immersive Virtual Reality to Teach Safe Pedestrian Skills to Autistic Children","authors":"Emily L. Ferris, Nicole M. Rodriguez, Ryan Thomas, James E. Gehringer","doi":"10.1002/bin.70054","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.70054","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study examines the efficacy of fully immersive virtual reality (VR) to teach pedestrian safety skills to children with autism spectrum disorder. Four autistic children who met inclusion criteria related to tolerance of VR equipment, absence of problem behavior, and limited baseline skills participated. Using VR with an omnidirectional treadmill, participants were taught safe pedestrian crossing across three traffic conditions: clear crossings, busy crossings, and crossings where a vehicle came to a stop. Through a concurrent multiple probe design, pedestrian skills taught in VR were assessed for generalization across both virtual environments (VEs) and natural environments (NEs). All participants acquired the target response within the virtual teaching environments, and three of four participants demonstrated generalization across VE and NE, supporting the efficacy of immersive VR for promoting safety and independence. The findings highlight VR’s potential as a low-risk and customizable teaching environment capable of promoting real-world skill generalization.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47138,"journal":{"name":"Behavioral Interventions","volume":"40 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145469540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Allison N. Cascarilla, Matthew T. Brodhead, David J. Cox, Cherish M. Sarmiento
{"title":"Delay Discounting and Teacher Decision-Making of Behavioral Interventions","authors":"Allison N. Cascarilla, Matthew T. Brodhead, David J. Cox, Cherish M. Sarmiento","doi":"10.1002/bin.70058","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.70058","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This paper presents two studies that used delay discounting to understand how teachers of students who engage in challenging behavior discount delays in behavioral treatment outcomes. In Experiment 1, the authors administered the monetary choice questionnaire (MCQ) to assess discounting of monetary rewards and a treatment choice questionnaire (TCQ) to assess discounting of treatment outcomes. Results of Experiment 1 indicate that teachers discounted monetary rewards and treatment outcomes, and the region of the U.S. where one teaches may impact discount rate. Experiment 2 extended the findings of Experiment 1 by evaluating if a specific variable—severity of behavior—impacted teachers' rate of discounting. The authors administered two TCQs to assess behavior severity as a state influence. Results of Experiment 2 indicate that teachers discount delays to both monetary outcomes and treatment outcomes, and teachers did have higher discount rates in the severe TCQ compared to the mild TCQ.</p>","PeriodicalId":47138,"journal":{"name":"Behavioral Interventions","volume":"40 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/bin.70058","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145406532","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Further Evaluation of a Fixed-Lean Approach to Facilitate Schedule Thinning Following Functional Communication Training","authors":"Alexandra Ramirez, Yanerys León, Janelle Bacotti","doi":"10.1002/bin.70057","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.70057","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Multiple schedules are commonly used to thin the schedule of reinforcement following functional communication training (FCT). Approaches to multiple schedule thinning have included: progressively increasing the duration of the S<sup>Δ</sup>, rapidly alternating S<sup>D</sup> and S<sup>Δ</sup> components, and immediate introduction of fixed-lean schedules. In this study we (a) further evaluated the efficacy of a fixed-lean schedule (multiple schedule 60 s/240 s) during multiple schedule thinning and (b) further characterized response patterns during sequential application of schedule thinning approaches. Two of three participants maintained low rates of problem behavior and discriminated mands during the fixed-lean phase whereas the third participant required a more progressive schedule thinning approach. Results are discussed in terms of relative contributions of different behavioral mechanisms (i.e., extinction, habituation, and stimulus control) and potential predictive factors for responsiveness to schedule thinning procedures.</p>","PeriodicalId":47138,"journal":{"name":"Behavioral Interventions","volume":"40 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/bin.70057","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145406531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Effects of Response-Stimulus Pairing on Toy Play and Stereotypy in Three Children on the Autism Spectrum in China","authors":"Yan Li, Sheng Xu, Gabrielle T. Lee","doi":"10.1002/bin.70056","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.70056","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Children on the autism spectrum who exhibit a restricted range of interests may engage less in appropriate toy play and display stereotypy, which may negatively affect their social engagement and task performance. Our study replicated and extended prior research by implementing response-stimulus pairing to increase appropriate toy play and decrease inappropriate toy play and stereotypy in three Chinese children (aged 4–5 years) on the autism spectrum. We used a multiple probe design across participants. Results indicated that the intervention effectively increased appropriate toy play while decreasing inappropriate toy play and stereotypy. These improvements were also observed during free play. Two weeks after the completion of the intervention, all participants maintained the target behavior. Future research should consider collecting generalization data from home settings and conducting more rigorous functional behavior assessments.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47138,"journal":{"name":"Behavioral Interventions","volume":"40 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145366591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ellie Morosohk, Raymond Miltenberger, Rasha Baruni, Jennifer Cook
{"title":"Behavioral Skills Training to Increase Fidelity of Staff Searches at a Juvenile Residential Facility","authors":"Ellie Morosohk, Raymond Miltenberger, Rasha Baruni, Jennifer Cook","doi":"10.1002/bin.70055","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.70055","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Staff training is an essential component of effective behavior analytic interventions. This study examined behavioral skills training (BST) to teach staff in a juvenile residential facility to conduct appropriate room searches. The participants in the study were four staff members over the age of 18 years old who worked in the facility. All staff increased the fidelity of room searches after BST, however, room searches took less time when an observer was not present. A feedback component was implemented after behavioral skills training if the durations of room searches were shorter when the participant was unaware that they were being observed. Room search duration increased after feedback was delivered.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47138,"journal":{"name":"Behavioral Interventions","volume":"40 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145366495","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cynthia P. Livingston, Brittany H. Loder-Lafferty, Jessica P. Tran, Isaac J. Melanson, Mirela Cengher, Daniel Kwak
{"title":"Evaluation of a Sequential Extinction Procedure on Preference for Communication Modalities During Functional Communication Training","authors":"Cynthia P. Livingston, Brittany H. Loder-Lafferty, Jessica P. Tran, Isaac J. Melanson, Mirela Cengher, Daniel Kwak","doi":"10.1002/bin.70053","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.70053","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Functional communication training is an effective and well-established intervention for socially maintained challenging behavior. Previous research determined that preference for functional communication responses (FCRs) influences treatment durability. This study extends previous research by evaluating the use of a sequential extinction procedure to establish a hierarchy of preference for FCR modalities within a treatment context. We taught participants different FCR modalities to access the same reinforcer maintaining challenging behavior and assessed modality preference via a concurrent operant mand modality preference assessment measuring FCR modality response allocation and challenging behavior. We then sequentially placed preferred modalities on extinction to establish a preference hierarchy and evaluate persistence of communication and challenging behavior during treatment challenges. Preference hierarchies were established for all participants within the context of treatment (functional communication training). Additionally, some challenging behavior was observed when preferred modalities were placed on extinction; however, effects were temporary and did not always persist across sequential extinction phases. These findings provide preliminary evidence to support teaching multiple communication modalities may lead to a more durable treatment. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":47138,"journal":{"name":"Behavioral Interventions","volume":"40 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/bin.70053","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145366300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hannah Roth, Emily Chesbrough, John Michael Falligant
{"title":"Response-Class Hierarchies in Self-Induced Vomiting: Functional Assessment and Treatment","authors":"Hannah Roth, Emily Chesbrough, John Michael Falligant","doi":"10.1002/bin.70048","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.70048","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions sometimes engage in self-induced vomiting, a behavior associated with serious medical complications and increased risk of exposure to communicable diseases. Despite its clinical significance, the functional dimensions of self-induced vomiting remain understudied, particularly in cases where it occurs within a hierarchical response class of attention-maintained behavior. This study describes the functional assessment and treatment of self-induced vomiting in an adolescent male with multiple neurodevelopmental conditions. A response class hierarchy analysis was conducted to evaluate whether self-induced vomiting, self-gagging, pica, and other challenging behaviors were functionally related. Findings revealed systematic shifts in challenging behavior topographies with sequential exposure to extinction, supporting the presence of a hierarchically organized response class maintained by attention. Treatment involved functional communication training, extinction, and an individualized levels system involving token reinforcement and a probabilistic exchange schedule. This multicomponent intervention eliminated self-induced vomiting, self-gagging, pica, and other challenging behaviors within the attention-maintained response class. These findings underscore the need for function-based assessments in the treatment of self-induced vomiting and related behaviors.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47138,"journal":{"name":"Behavioral Interventions","volume":"40 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145272815","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}