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Modirrousta A, Harris YR. Parental strategies to promote theory of mind development in autistic children of color. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1347504. [PMID: 38699568 PMCID: PMC11064013 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1347504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by an impaired ability to take other people's perspectives, which is known as theory of mind. However, little is known about how theory of mind exhibits itself in autistic children of color and how parents foster their child's developmental skills in communities of color. Methods Two interviews were created to assess how parents appraise their child's developmental skills and help their child grow: a perspective-teaching interview and a general developmental skills interview. Four families participated in the study; three children were African American or mixed, while one had an Asian mother. Parents were asked how their child exhibited various developmental skills and how they helped their child with those milestones. Results Parents pointed at similar delays in theory of mind and other developmental skills, such as turn-taking and reading faces. They also provided similar strategies to teach those abilities, such as modeling and reinforcements. Several insights and common themes were found regarding autistic behaviors their children expressed and how those affected their parenting experiences. Discussion These findings allow for a better understanding of parents' experiences raising autistic children of color; future research could expand on their stories and create interventions tailored to these underrepresented communities.
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Araiba S. The Evolution of the Conceptually Systematic Dimension and Its Current Functions in Applied Behavior Analysis. Perspect Behav Sci 2024; 47:1-27. [PMID: 38660509 PMCID: PMC11035531 DOI: 10.1007/s40614-024-00396-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
What does it mean to be conceptually systematic in contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) research and practice? To answer this question, the present study conducted a historical analysis of ABA scholars' interpretations of the conceptually systematic dimension of ABA over the last 55 years. The present article found the current characteristics of the conceptually systematic dimension are indeed sufficient to suggest ABA's conceptual independence from the experimental analysis of behavior or any other subdisciplines of behavior analysis. Based on this finding, this article addresses the challenges in contemporary ABA field such as ABA's own basic and applied continuum, translational research, and its relationship with other disciplines' research and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Araiba
- University of Hawaii, 1645 Ala Wai Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96815 USA
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Burney V, Arnold-Saritepe A, McCann CM. Rethinking the Place of Qualitative Methods in Behavior Analysis. Perspect Behav Sci 2023; 46:185-200. [PMID: 37006599 PMCID: PMC10050534 DOI: 10.1007/s40614-022-00362-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractSingle-case design research is pervasive and dominant in the field of behavior analysis (BA). It allows for effective application of behavior change technologies in a wide variety of real-world settings. However, as the field has grown, behavioral scholars have suggested incorporating other methods into the investigator’s toolbox to supplement single-case design. To date, the call to expand beyond using only variations of single-case design as the standard for behavior analytic research has gone largely unheard. Given the need for behavior analytic work to be more closely aligned with consumer and stakeholder needs and priorities, along with a proliferation of practitioners and researchers in the field, now is the time to consider the benefits of qualitative research methods for behavior analysts. In particular, in areas of social validity and in exploring diverse applied topics, qualitative methods may help the field of behavior analysis to achieve greater success with documenting the outcomes from behavior change interventions. The present article explores areas where behavior analysis may benefit from utilizing qualitative methods, namely social validity and breadth of topics for study, and provides examples of the value of qualitative research from other fields. A brief outline of qualitative research is provided alongside consideration of the seven dimensions of applied behavior analysis. In situations where single-case design does not offer behavior analysts sufficient methodological opportunity, qualitative research methods could form a powerful addition to the field of behavior analysis.
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Protic DD, Aishworiya R, Salcedo-Arellano MJ, Tang SJ, Milisavljevic J, Mitrovic F, Hagerman RJ, Budimirovic DB. Fragile X Syndrome: From Molecular Aspect to Clinical Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23041935. [PMID: 35216055 PMCID: PMC8875233 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23041935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by the full mutation as well as highly localized methylation of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene on the long arm of the X chromosome. Children with FXS are commonly co-diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, attention and learning problems, anxiety, aggressive behavior and sleep disorder, and early interventions have improved many behavior symptoms associated with FXS. In this review, we performed a literature search of original and review articles data of clinical trials and book chapters using MEDLINE (1990-2021) and ClinicalTrials.gov. While we have reviewed the biological importance of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), the FXS phenotype, and current diagnosis techniques, the emphasis of this review is on clinical interventions. Early non-pharmacological interventions in combination with pharmacotherapy and targeted treatments aiming to reverse dysregulated brain pathways are the mainstream of treatment in FXS. Overall, early diagnosis and interventions are fundamental to achieve optimal clinical outcomes in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dragana D. Protic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia
- Correspondence: (D.D.P.); (D.B.B.); Tel.: +381-11-36-43-389 (D.D.P.); +1-443-923-2634 (D.B.B.)
| | - Ramkumar Aishworiya
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute UCDH, University of California Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (R.A.); (M.J.S.-A.); (S.J.T.); (R.J.H.)
- Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children’s Medical Institute, National University Health System, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074, Singapore
| | - Maria Jimena Salcedo-Arellano
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute UCDH, University of California Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (R.A.); (M.J.S.-A.); (S.J.T.); (R.J.H.)
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Si Jie Tang
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute UCDH, University of California Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (R.A.); (M.J.S.-A.); (S.J.T.); (R.J.H.)
| | - Jelena Milisavljevic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Filip Mitrovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.M.); (F.M.)
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute UCDH, University of California Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (R.A.); (M.J.S.-A.); (S.J.T.); (R.J.H.)
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Dejan B. Budimirovic
- Department of Psychiatry, Fragile X Clinic, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences-Child Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Correspondence: (D.D.P.); (D.B.B.); Tel.: +381-11-36-43-389 (D.D.P.); +1-443-923-2634 (D.B.B.)
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Padilla KL, Akers JS. Content Validity Evidence for the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 51:4054-4066. [PMID: 33447987 PMCID: PMC7808702 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04864-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to provide content validity evidence for the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP). A national panel of 13 experts provided an evaluation of the domain relevance, age appropriateness, method of measurement appropriateness, and domain representation across the three levels of the Milestones Assessment, Early Echoic Skills Assessment (EESA), and Barriers Assessment. Overall, the content validity evidence for the VB-MAPP Milestones, EESA, and Barriers Assessment was moderate to strong across the evaluated areas although there were areas with limited or conflicting support. The evidence suggests that the scores of the VB-MAPP provide information relevant to the target behaviors of interest but a few domains may not be fully represented by their specific items.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen L Padilla
- Department of Educational Psychology, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97301, Waco, TX, 76798-7301, USA.
| | - Jessica S Akers
- Department of Educational Psychology, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97301, Waco, TX, 76798-7301, USA
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Hantula DA. Audaciously under the Dome: Behavior Science in Systems and Society. Perspect Behav Sci 2019; 42:689-694. [PMID: 31976454 PMCID: PMC6901635 DOI: 10.1007/s40614-019-00238-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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Wolfe PS, Wertalik JL, Monaco SD, Gardner S. Review of Curricular Features of Socio-sexuality Curricula for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. SEXUALITY AND DISABILITY 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11195-019-09585-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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De Luca R, Leonardi S, Portaro S, Le Cause M, De Domenico C, Colucci PV, Pranio F, Bramanti P, Calabrò RS. Innovative use of virtual reality in autism spectrum disorder: A case-study. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-CHILD 2019; 10:90-100. [PMID: 31092007 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2019.1610964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are developmental disorders affecting communication and behavior. ASD incidence in the world population is about 1%, with a 4:1 ratio between males and females. In clinical practice, ASDs have been usually treated with cognitive-behavioral approaches, involving a face-to-face interaction with the therapist. Over the last years, virtual reality (VR) has played an important role in neurorehabilitation, even for ASD cognitive treatment. A 16-year-old boy with severe ASD and his caregiver were enrolled in the study. Two different cognitive trainings were administered; first, the boy was submitted to one-month cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT); then, after one month of rest, a combined approach using VR (by means of the BTS-Nirvana System) and CBT was applied. Only the combined approach provided an improvement in attention processes and spatial cognition skills, with a significant reduction of ideomotor stereotypes. According to this experience, the use of VR in addition to CBT could be a useful and promising tool to improve cognitive function in individuals severely affected by ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria De Luca
- Robotic and Behavioral Neurehabilitation Laboratory, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino Pulejo," Messina, Italy
| | - Simona Leonardi
- Robotic and Behavioral Neurehabilitation Laboratory, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino Pulejo," Messina, Italy
| | - Simona Portaro
- Robotic and Behavioral Neurehabilitation Laboratory, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino Pulejo," Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Le Cause
- Robotic and Behavioral Neurehabilitation Laboratory, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino Pulejo," Messina, Italy
| | - Carmela De Domenico
- Robotic and Behavioral Neurehabilitation Laboratory, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino Pulejo," Messina, Italy
| | - Pia Valentina Colucci
- Robotic and Behavioral Neurehabilitation Laboratory, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino Pulejo," Messina, Italy
| | - Federica Pranio
- Robotic and Behavioral Neurehabilitation Laboratory, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino Pulejo," Messina, Italy
| | - Placido Bramanti
- Robotic and Behavioral Neurehabilitation Laboratory, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino Pulejo," Messina, Italy
| | - Rocco Salvatore Calabrò
- Robotic and Behavioral Neurehabilitation Laboratory, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino Pulejo," Messina, Italy
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Trump CE, Ayres KM. Autism, Insurance, and Discrimination: The Effect of an Autism Diagnosis on Behavior-Analytic Services. Behav Anal Pract 2019; 13:282-289. [PMID: 32231991 DOI: 10.1007/s40617-018-00327-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper discusses variables contributing to behavior analysis's growth within the autism community and the effect of an autism diagnosis on behavior-analytic services and access to those services. Recent insurance reforms in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands require insurance companies to offer, or cover, behavior-analytic services to individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. However, despite many benefits associated with increased coverage for individuals with autism, potential limitations exist, such as age and disability discrimination. Furthermore, this paper examines factors influencing the growing number of behavior analysts practicing in the area of autism and steps to ensure the field's growth beyond autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cary E Trump
- Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education, University of Georgia, 514 Aderhold, 110 Carlton St, Athens, GA 30602 USA
| | - Kevin M Ayres
- Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education, University of Georgia, 514 Aderhold, 110 Carlton St, Athens, GA 30602 USA
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Witts BN. An external review of the conclusions regarding the peak direct training module. J Appl Behav Anal 2018; 51:719-737. [PMID: 29995349 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Promoting the Emergence of Advanced Knowledge-Direct Training Module (PEAK-DTM) is a commercially available assessment and curriculum for individuals whose language skills are not developmentally adequate. In their review of PEAK-DTM, Reed and Luiselli (2016) analyzed the extant literature on PEAK-DTM and concluded that it has a sound and growing body of empirical support on its efficacy, usability, and psychometric properties. Similar conclusions are mirrored in the PEAK-DTM literature and promotional material. I review these conclusions and contend that many overrate the research that backs them. Suggestions for a more rigorous research agenda on PEAK-DTM and its related modules are provided.
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Hoffmann AN, Contreras BP, Clay CJ, Twohig MP. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Individuals with Disabilities: A Behavior Analytic Strategy for Addressing Private Events in Challenging Behavior. Behav Anal Pract 2016; 9:14-24. [PMID: 27606236 DOI: 10.1007/s40617-016-0105-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Applied behavior analysts work with many populations including individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Although behavior analysts have a variety of empirically supported treatments to implement when working with individuals with disabilities, sometimes, other variables may adversely impact treatment effectiveness. The degree to which problematic thoughts and feelings (private events) influence behavior may be a variable that contributes to treatment efficacy. Traditional behavior analytic services are not always equipped to successfully address the private events influencing client behavior. In such cases, it may be beneficial for behavior analysts to consider additional philosophically aligned treatments for private events. One such treatment, acceptance and commitment therapy, may be a useful tool for behavior analysts to incorporate into their toolbox in order to help clients. The purpose of this paper is to introduce behavior analysts to a potential solution to the problem of effectively addressing private events in behavior analytic services. We then propose a model for thinking about private events in relation to clients with disabilities and present a guide for taking steps to address private events in the clinical setting. We conclude this paper with a call for research and present a possible research agenda for behavior analysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey N Hoffmann
- Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation, Utah State University, 2865 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322 USA
| | - Bethany P Contreras
- Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation, Utah State University, 2865 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322 USA
| | - Casey J Clay
- Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation, Utah State University, 2865 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322 USA
| | - Michael P Twohig
- Department of Psychology, Utah State University, 2810 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322 USA
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