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Fanning Tacoaman GL, Rosales R, Shvarts S. Evaluation of a training package to teach pairing procedures. J Appl Behav Anal 2024. [PMID: 38951987 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.1097] [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: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Pairing is a commonly recommended practice used to build rapport and create positive therapeutic environments. However, there are limited evaluations of training procedures to teach pairing skills to direct-care staff. The purpose of the present study was to formalize and improve the efficiency of the training process for the initial stages of pairing using video modeling with embedded voice-over instructions plus performance feedback. Participants included three dyads of behavior technicians and children with autism. The results indicated that the training package increased the consistency of pairing implementation. These outcomes were maintained in a novel setting and for up to 4 weeks following training. We also measured relevant child behaviors such as joint attention, engagement, indices of happiness, and calm. Specific areas for future research are described.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rocio Rosales
- Psychology Department, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
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2
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Rodnyy AY, Kondaurova EM, Tsybko AS, Popova NK, Kudlay DA, Naumenko VS. The brain serotonin system in autism. Rev Neurosci 2024; 35:1-20. [PMID: 37415576 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2023-0055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are among the most common neurodevelopmental diseases. These disorders are characterized by lack of social interaction, by repetitive behavior, and often anxiety and learning disabilities. The brain serotonin (5-HT) system is known to be crucially implicated in a wide range of physiological functions and in the control of different kinds of normal and pathological behavior. A growing number of studies indicate the involvement of the brain 5-HT system in the mechanisms underlying both ASD development and ASD-related behavioral disorders. There are some review papers describing the role of separate key players of the 5-HT system in an ASD and/or autistic-like behavior. In this review, we summarize existing data on the participation of all members of the brain 5-HT system, namely, 5-HT transporter, tryptophan hydroxylase 2, MAOA, and 5-HT receptors, in autism in human and various animal models. Additionally, we describe the most recent studies involving modern techniques for in vivo regulation of gene expression that are aimed at identifying exact roles of 5-HT receptors, MAOA, and 5-HT transporter in the mechanisms underlying autistic-like behavior. Altogether, results of multiple research articles show that the brain 5-HT system intimately partakes in the control of some types of ASD-related behavior, and that specific changes in a function of a certain 5-HT receptor, transporter, and/or enzyme may normalize this aberrant behavior. These data give hope that some of clinically used 5-HT-related drugs have potential for ASD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ya Rodnyy
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Akad. Lavrentyeva Ave. 10, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Elena M Kondaurova
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Akad. Lavrentyeva Ave. 10, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Anton S Tsybko
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Akad. Lavrentyeva Ave. 10, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Nina K Popova
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Akad. Lavrentyeva Ave. 10, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Dmitry A Kudlay
- NRC Institute of Immunology FMBA of Russia, Kashirskoe Highway 24, Moscow 115522, Russia
- Sechenov's University, 8-2 Trubetskaya Str., Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Vladimir S Naumenko
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Akad. Lavrentyeva Ave. 10, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
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Rodriguez KA, Tarbox J, Tarbox C. Compassion in Autism Services: A Preliminary Framework for Applied Behavior Analysis. Behav Anal Pract 2023; 16:1034-1046. [PMID: 38076740 PMCID: PMC10700259 DOI: 10.1007/s40617-023-00816-x] [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: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Many have suggested that a compassion-focused approach to applied behavior analysis (ABA) services may improve provider-client therapeutic relationships and has the potential to improve program acceptability and clinical outcomes experienced by our clients. In this article, radical compassion is defined and explored as a foundational approach to the implementation of ABA, with special emphasis on practical applications in the area of service delivery for families living with autism. In this framework for care, compassion is offered as a measurable repertoire and as a philosophical guidepost for future developments in the profession. This article explores preliminary tenets of compassion-focused ABA and their implications for practice. This approach is offered in the hope of moving the field toward a future of improved acceptability and sustainable consumer preference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine A. Rodriguez
- Institute for Applied Behavioral Science, Endicott College, 376 Hale Street, Beverly, MA 01915 USA
- Autism Learning Partners, Monrovia, CA USA
| | - Jonathan Tarbox
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
- FirstSteps for Kids, Los Angeles, CA USA
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Ilchibaeva T, Tsybko A, Lipnitskaya M, Eremin D, Milutinovich K, Naumenko V, Popova N. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Mechanisms of Autistic-like Behavior in BTBR Mice: Crosstalk with the Dopaminergic Brain System. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051482. [PMID: 37239153 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Disturbances in neuroplasticity undoubtedly play an important role in the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Brain neurotransmitters and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are known as crucial players in cerebral and behavioral plasticity. Such an important neurotransmitter as dopamine (DA) is involved in the behavioral inflexibility of ASD. Additionally, much evidence from human and animal studies implicates BDNF in ASD pathogenesis. Nonetheless, crosstalk between BDNF and the DA system has not been studied in the context of an autistic-like phenotype. For this reason, the aim of our study was to compare the effects of either the acute intracerebroventricular administration of a recombinant BDNF protein or hippocampal adeno-associated-virus-mediated BDNF overexpression on autistic-like behavior and expression of key DA-related and BDNF-related genes in BTBR mice (a widely recognized model of autism). The BDNF administration failed to affect autistic-like behavior but downregulated Comt mRNA in the frontal cortex and hippocampus; however, COMT protein downregulation in the hippocampus and upregulation in the striatum were insignificant. BDNF administration also reduced the receptor TrkB level in the frontal cortex and midbrain and the BDNF/proBDNF ratio in the striatum. In contrast, hippocampal BDNF overexpression significantly diminished stereotypical behavior and anxiety; these alterations were accompanied only by higher hippocampal DA receptor D1 mRNA levels. The results indicate an important role of BDNF in mechanisms underlying anxiety and repetitive behavior in ASDs and implicates BDNF-DA crosstalk in the autistic-like phenotype of BTBR mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Ilchibaeva
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Akad. Lavrentyeva 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Anton Tsybko
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Akad. Lavrentyeva 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Marina Lipnitskaya
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Akad. Lavrentyeva 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Dmitry Eremin
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Akad. Lavrentyeva 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Kseniya Milutinovich
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Akad. Lavrentyeva 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Vladimir Naumenko
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Akad. Lavrentyeva 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Nina Popova
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Akad. Lavrentyeva 10, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
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On the role of serotonin 5-HT 1A receptor in autistic-like behavior: сross talk of 5-HT and BDNF systems. Behav Brain Res 2023; 438:114168. [PMID: 36280010 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114168] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are some of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders; however, the mechanisms underlying ASDs are still poorly understood. Serotonin (5-HT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are known as key players in brain and behavioral plasticity and interact with each other. 5-HT1A receptor is a principal regulator of the brain 5-HT system, which modulates normal and pathological behavior. Here we investigated effects of adeno-associated-virus-based 5-HT1A receptor overexpression in the hippocampus of BTBR mice (which are a model of autism) on various types of behavior and on the expression of 5-HT7 receptor, proBDNF, mature BDNF, and BDNF receptors (TrkB and p75NTR). The 5-HT1A receptor overexpression in BTBR mice reduced stereotyped behavior in the marble-burying test and extended the time spent in the center in the open field test. Meanwhile, this overexpression failed to affect social behavior in the three-chambered test, immobility time in the tail suspension test, locomotor activity in the open field test, and associative learning within the "operant wall" paradigm. The 5-HT1A receptor overexpression in the hippocampus raised hippocampal 5-HT7 receptor mRNA and protein levels. Additionally, the 5-HT1A receptor overexpression lowered both mRNA and protein levels of TrkB receptor but failed to affect proBDNF, mature BDNF, and p75NTR receptor expression in the hippocampus of BTBR mice. Thus, obtained results suggest the involvement of the 5-HT and BDNF systems' interaction mediated by 5-HT1A and TrkB receptors in the mechanisms underlying autistic-like behavior in BTBR mice.
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Araiba S, Čolić M. Preliminary Practice Recommendations for Telehealth Direct Applied Behavior Analysis Services with Children with Autism. JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL EDUCATION 2022; 32:1-35. [PMID: 35464786 PMCID: PMC9013273 DOI: 10.1007/s10864-022-09473-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This article provides preliminary practice recommendations for telehealth direct applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for children with autism. In the face of COVID-19, there is an immediate need for discussion on how to implement various ABA procedures via telehealth for ABA practitioners. Alongside emerging scientific evidence on the effectiveness of telehealth direct service as well as various service-related guidelines, we provide preliminary practice recommendations that are based on the existing literature on in-person and telehealth ABA procedures. We also discuss these recommendations with case studies of two boys with autism. Social validity measures indicated that families were satisfied with telehealth direct services. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic has resolved itself, telehealth direct ABA service will still be a valuable option for remote and international locations where direct ABA service is limited, and thus, practice recommendations continue to be relevant for all practitioners that use telehealth direct service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Araiba
- Positive Behavior Support Corporation, 1645 Ala Wai Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96815 USA
| | - Marija Čolić
- Special Education Department, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI USA
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Morris SL, Vollmer TR. Increasing social time allocation and concomitant effects on mands, item engagement, and rigid or repetitive behavior. J Appl Behav Anal 2022; 55:814-831. [PMID: 35388493 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.919] [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] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent research has developed methods of assessing the function of generic, nonindividualized social interactions. The purpose of this type of assessment is to provide a measure of how an individual may respond to the types of interactions readily available in the natural environment. To date, no research has evaluated how the social time allocation of individuals for whom generic interactions are neutral or aversive could be improved. Moreover, no research has included additional dependent variables that may be functionally related to social time allocation. In the current study, we evaluated the effects of initiating preferred, individualized social interactions on the social time allocation of 3 participants for whom generic interactions functioned as neutral or aversive stimuli. The intervention increased social time allocation for all 3 participants. Next, we evaluated the relation between social time allocation and the occurrence of mands, item engagement, and rigid or repetitive behavior using the intervention data as well as secondary analyses of previously published datasets. The occurrence of mands and rigid or repetitive behaviors changed with improvements in social time allocation and were strongly correlated with social time allocation across participants. Implications for future research on, and the clinical use of, this type of assessment and intervention are discussed.
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Shillingsburg MA, Frampton SE, Juban B, Weddle SA, Silva MR. Implementing an applied verbal behavior model in classrooms. BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/bin.1807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Brittany Juban
- Children's Services May Institute, Inc. Randolph Massachusetts USA
| | - Sarah A. Weddle
- Children's Services May Institute, Inc. Randolph Massachusetts USA
| | - Meghan R. Silva
- Children's Services May Institute, Inc. Randolph Massachusetts USA
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Gormley L, Penrose H, Bracken M, Barron B. Training behavioural therapists in presession pairing skills to evaluate the impact on children's life skill acquisition rates. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2020; 66:339-347. [PMID: 34150196 PMCID: PMC7942779 DOI: 10.1080/20473869.2020.1827209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Presession pairing is a well-documented behaviour analytic practice that supports the development of a positive instructional environment and is associated with reduced rates of challenging behaviour among children with developmental disabilities. However, there is limited research evaluating the impact of presession pairing on children's skill acquisition rates. Therefore, in the current study, four behavioural therapists were systematically trained in an established presession pairing protocol and using a multiple baseline across participants design, the impact of this training on life skill acquisition rates among a group of four children with Autism Spectrum Disorder was evaluated. A robust improvement rate difference was calculated for each child and a robust omnibus improvement rate difference showed that the impact of training therapists in the presession pairing protocol had a very small effect on the children's life skill acquisition rates. These findings were discussed in the context of the importance of reporting null findings and designing replication studies that provide an understanding of why an effect was not demonstrated, in order to develop and refine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gormley
- School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Heidi Penrose
- School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Maeve Bracken
- School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brittany Barron
- School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Cariveau T, Shillingsburg MA, Alamoudi A, Thompson T, Bartlett B, Gillespie S, Scahill L. Brief Report: Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a Behavioral Intervention for Minimally Verbal Girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 49:2203-2209. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-03872-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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