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Stalford D, Graham S, Keenan M. A Discussion of Positive Behavior Support and Applied Behavior Analysis in the Context of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the UK and Ireland. Behav Anal Pract 2024; 17:442-455. [PMID: 38966271 PMCID: PMC11219608 DOI: 10.1007/s40617-023-00905-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
This article addresses the relationship between applied behavior analysis (ABA) and the emergence of positive behavior support (PBS) in context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the UK and Ireland. Two overarching issues that are salient in this discussion are professional training and certification. To date, there has been a lack of standardized training or statutory requirements to practice PBS despite proponents insisting that its practice should be grounded in behavior analytic principles. Furthermore, there is an undercurrent of anti-ABA bias fueled by misinterpretation and unsubstantiated anecdotal claims used to promote an alternative "value based" approach to managing behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Stalford
- Ulster University-Coleraine Campus, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
| | - Scott Graham
- Ulster University, Coleraine, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
| | - Michael Keenan
- Ulster University, Coleraine, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
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Gitimoghaddam M, Chichkine N, McArthur L, Sangha SS, Symington V. Applied Behavior Analysis in Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Scoping Review. Perspect Behav Sci 2022; 45:521-557. [PMID: 36249174 PMCID: PMC9458805 DOI: 10.1007/s40614-022-00338-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThis manuscript provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of applied behavior analysis (ABA) on children and youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Seven online databases and identified systematic reviews were searched for published, peer-reviewed, English-language studies examining the impact of ABA on health outcomes. Measured outcomes were classified into eight categories: cognitive, language, social/communication, problem behavior, adaptive behavior, emotional, autism symptoms, and quality of life (QoL) outcomes. Improvements were observed across seven of the eight outcome measures. There were no included studies that measured subject QoL. Moreover, of 770 included study records, only 32 (4%) assessed ABA impact, had a comparison to a control or other intervention, and did not rely on mastery of specific skills to mark improvement. Results reinforce the need for large-scale prospective studies that compare ABA with other non-ABA interventions and include measurements of subject QoL to provide policy makers with valuable information on the impacts of ABA and other existing and emerging interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojgan Gitimoghaddam
- University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
| | | | - Laura McArthur
- Club Aviva Recreation Ltd., Coquitlam, British Columbia Canada
| | - Sarabjit S Sangha
- Club Aviva Recreation Ltd., Coquitlam, British Columbia Canada
- University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Melbourne, Australia
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Ferguson JL, Cihon JH, Majeski MJ, Milne CM, Leaf JB, McEachin J, Leaf R. Toward Efficiency and Effectiveness: Comparing Equivalence-based Instruction to Progressive Discrete Trial Teaching. Behav Anal Pract 2022; 15:1296-1313. [PMID: 36618116 PMCID: PMC9745008 DOI: 10.1007/s40617-022-00687-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Research has found equivalence-based instruction (EBI) to be effective and efficient, with recent research extending these finding to individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). EBI has also been compared with more traditional approaches to teaching, such as traditional lectures, reading assignments, and video lectures. However, the authors are unaware of any comparisons of EBI to other similar behavior analytic approaches such as discrete trial teaching (DTT). The purpose of the first experiment was to compare EBI to progressive DTT using an adapted alternating treatments design with typically developing adults. Experiment 2 compared the two teaching methods with children diagnosed with ASD. The teaching approaches were evaluated with respect to mastery of trained relations, emergence of untrained relations for the EBI condition, and participant preferences. Results of the two experiments found that both teaching methods were effective, progressive DTT was found to be more efficient for six participants, EBI was found to be more efficient for two participants, and overall progressive DTT was found to be more preferred by participants. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40617-022-00687-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia L. Ferguson
- grid.427602.5Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Dr., Seal Beach, CA 90740 USA ,grid.454545.10000 0000 9546 2582Endicott College, Beverly, MA USA
| | - Joseph H. Cihon
- grid.427602.5Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Dr., Seal Beach, CA 90740 USA ,grid.454545.10000 0000 9546 2582Endicott College, Beverly, MA USA
| | - Maddison J. Majeski
- grid.427602.5Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Dr., Seal Beach, CA 90740 USA
| | - Christine M. Milne
- grid.427602.5Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Dr., Seal Beach, CA 90740 USA
| | - Justin B. Leaf
- grid.427602.5Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Dr., Seal Beach, CA 90740 USA ,grid.454545.10000 0000 9546 2582Endicott College, Beverly, MA USA
| | - John McEachin
- grid.427602.5Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Dr., Seal Beach, CA 90740 USA
| | - Ronald Leaf
- grid.427602.5Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Dr., Seal Beach, CA 90740 USA
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Comparing In-View to Out-of-View Stimulus Arrangements When Teaching Receptive Labels for Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Behav Anal Pract 2021; 15:475-484. [DOI: 10.1007/s40617-021-00596-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Axe JB, Murphy CM, Heward WL. Functional Communication Training and Most-To-Least Prompting as Treatments for Problem Behavior. Clin Case Stud 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/15346501211030208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Functional communication training (FCT) is a treatment for problem behavior in which the learner is taught a communicative behavior that fulfills the same function as the problem behavior. Although effective, when FCT is used to request breaks from work, limitations include increased time spent in breaks and reduced task-related responding. An alternative treatment is most-to-least prompting (MTL) of a task in which a therapist provides the most helpful prompts for task-related responding (e.g., physical guidance) and gradually reduces the amount of help (e.g., visual prompt and then verbal) until the learner responds independently. We evaluated FCT and MTL in a multiple treatments design with an 11-year-old girl with severe developmental disabilities. Both treatments reduced problem behavior from baseline levels, and academic responding was greater during MTL than during FCT. MTL is an errorless teaching approach conceptualized as an abolishing operation that reduces the aversiveness of a task and makes escape less valuable.
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Clements A, Fisher WW, Keevy M. Promoting the emergence of tacting three-digit numerals through a chain prompt combined with matrix training. J Appl Behav Anal 2021; 54:1405-1419. [PMID: 34216029 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.861] [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: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulty generalizing from directly trained responses to untrained responses (i.e., emergent responding). In this study, we used a chain prompt combined with matrix training to teach 2 participants with ASD to tact 192 three-digit numerals. We used a multiple-baseline design across matrices to evaluate the treatment effects on trained and untrained tacts of numerals. Both participants mastered all numerals exposed to training and all numerals not exposed to training after 3 to 5 sixteen-trial sessions per matrix. One participant learned to tact 8 numerals for each 1 numeral exposed to direct training, and the other participant learned to tact 12 numerals for each 1 numeral exposed to direct training. We discuss these results relative to the effectiveness and efficiency of our chain prompt combined with matrix training for teaching tacting skills for targets with shared stimulus properties that facilitate generalization to untrained targets.
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Leaf JB, Cihon JH, Leaf R, McEachin J, Liu N, Russell N, Unumb L, Shapiro S, Khosrowshahi D. Concerns About ABA-Based Intervention: An Evaluation and Recommendations. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:2838-2853. [PMID: 34132968 PMCID: PMC9114057 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05137-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
For over 50 years, intervention methods informed by the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) have been empirically researched and clinically implemented for autistics/individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Despite the plethora of evidence for the effectiveness of ABA-based interventions, some autism rights and neurodiversity activists have expressed concerns with ABA-based interventions. Concerns have included discontent with historical events and possible harm from the procedures and goals targeted. The purpose of this manuscript is to examine some expressed concerns about ABA-based intervention and suggest productive ways of moving forward to provide the best outcomes for autistics/individuals diagnosed with ASD. The authors represent stakeholders from multiple sectors including board certified behavior analysts, licensed psychologists, parents, and autistics/individuals diagnosed with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin B Leaf
- Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Drive, Seal Beach, CA, 90740, USA.
| | - Joseph H Cihon
- Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Drive, Seal Beach, CA, 90740, USA
| | - Ronald Leaf
- Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Drive, Seal Beach, CA, 90740, USA
| | - John McEachin
- Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Drive, Seal Beach, CA, 90740, USA
| | - Nicholas Liu
- University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Noah Russell
- Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Drive, Seal Beach, CA, 90740, USA
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Bak MYS. Tact instruction for children with autism spectrum disorder: A review. AUTISM & DEVELOPMENTAL LANGUAGE IMPAIRMENTS 2021; 6:2396941521999010. [PMID: 36381533 PMCID: PMC9620673 DOI: 10.1177/2396941521999010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Tacts facilitate social interaction, and a strong tact repertoire can lead to the development of other verbal operants. For children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the development of a tact repertoire can reduce stereotypical and repetitive language and increase social communication, as functional language may reduce the amount of stereotypical vocal behavior that children engage in. However, teaching tact repertoires to children with ASD that maintain and generalize is difficult. The current study reviewed tact interventions for children with ASD from 2000 to 2019 to provide an overview of current tact interventions, their effectiveness, and the inclusion of intervention components that may promote maintenance and generalization of learned tacts in children with ASD. Fifty-one studies were included in the review. Of the studies that met criteria for effect size calculations 87.18% of the interventions showed excellent or high effect. Although many of the studies focused more on stimulus control to answer specific research questions, some studies implemented intervention components and procedures that could promote acquisition and generalization of learned tacts in children with ASD. We discuss implications and the need to increase research regarding tact intervention components that can increase generalization in children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- MY Savana Bak
- MY Savana Bak, University of Minnesota, 56
River Rd. #250, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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Leaf JB, Cihon JH, Ferguson JL, Milne CM, Leaf R, McEachin J. Advances in Our Understanding of Behavioral Intervention: 1980 to 2020 for Individuals Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 51:4395-4410. [PMID: 32240487 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04481-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
There are three branches of science of behavior analysis [i.e., experimental analysis of behavior, behavior analysis, and applied behavior analysis (ABA)]. ABA can be defined as a systematic approach to understanding behavior of social interest. For the past 40 plus years, researchers have evaluated ABA and ABA based procedures (e.g., behavioral intervention) as they relate to individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and have implemented behavioral intervention in clinical settings for individuals diagnosed with ASD. In this paper, we discuss some of the pivotal contributions in the field of ABA in research and clinical practice. Additionally, we provide recommendations for the science and clinical practice of behavioral intervention in the next 40 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin B Leaf
- Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Drive, Seal Beach, CA, 90740, USA. .,Endicott College, Beverly, MA, USA.
| | - Joseph H Cihon
- Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Drive, Seal Beach, CA, 90740, USA.,Endicott College, Beverly, MA, USA
| | - Julia L Ferguson
- Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Drive, Seal Beach, CA, 90740, USA
| | - Christine M Milne
- Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Drive, Seal Beach, CA, 90740, USA.,Endicott College, Beverly, MA, USA
| | - Ronald Leaf
- Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Drive, Seal Beach, CA, 90740, USA
| | - John McEachin
- Autism Partnership Foundation, 200 Marina Drive, Seal Beach, CA, 90740, USA
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