Association for Behavior Analysis International

Almost all children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit restricted or repetitive behaviors or resistance to change. These restricted or repetitive behaviors can range from stereotyped vocalizations to repetitive motor movements. Resistance to change can present as rigidity with routines, resistance to new or novel items or activities, or food selectivity. Repetitive and restricted response can lead to corollary problems such as behavior problems, learning difficulties, inadequate dietary intake, or health issues. As such, the development of effective procedures for assessing and treating restricted and repetitive behaviors represents a critical need. The research presented in this symposium will explore (a) the temporal nature of repetitive behavior in individuals with ASD, (b) decreasing resistance to change using free and forced-choice conditions, (c) the relative effectiveness of behavioral versus sensory-based interventions for food selectivity, and (d) the treatment of repetitive behavior using response interruption and redirection.

Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have feeding difficulties, namely food selectivity (i.e., consumption of a limited variety of foods by type or texture). Food selectivity in children with ASD could be conceptualized as one form of higher level, restrictive behavior (Boyd et al., 2012; Turner, 1999) in that these children exhibit rigid mealtime routines, resist novel foods, and only consume foods according to specific types, textures, or under specific mealtime conditions (Schreck, Williams, & Smith, 2004). Food selectivity inevitably leads to inadequate dietary intake, which is associated with learning and behavior problems. If left untreated, children with food selectivity also may suffer from health problems, such as constipation or Type II diabetes. Currently, treatments for pediatric feeding disorders based on ABA research have the most empirical support (Volkert & Piazza, 2012). However, there are not as many studies demonstrating the effectiveness of ABA in the treatment of food selectivity in children with ASD. In the current study, we implemented stimulus fading with differential reinforcement, in the absence of escape extinction, to increase acceptance of novel foods for one participant with ASD thus far.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of response interruption and redirection (RIRD) for reducing vocal stereotypy and increasing appropriate speech in children with autism. However, the procedure is relatively time-consuming to implement. Results of one prior study (Saini, Gregory, Uran & Fantetti, 2015) suggested that an abbreviated variation of RIRD (requiring one response) was just as effective as a commonly used variation of RIRD (requiring three responses), but further research is needed. In addition, no studies have evaluated the role of toy removal on the efficacy of RIRD even though this procedural component is frequently included in treatment with RIRD. In this study, we examined the separate and combined effects of RIRD and brief contingent toy removal when the child was required to respond to one vocal instruction versus three vocal instructions. Three children, aged 4 to 6 years and diagnosed with autism, participated. Results indicated that one-demand RIRD was as effective as three-demand RIRD for all participants. Furthermore, removing toys during RIRD implementation increased the effectiveness of treatment for two of the three participants.

Recent research has focused on ways to better classify automatically reinforced behavior; however, no research to date has evaluated the temporal nature of repetitive behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Repetitive behavior varies in its topography and instances of when it occurs. Some repetitive behavior might occur in time periods categorized by frequent responding with little time between each response (defined here as a bout of responding), followed by a pause or break in responding, after which a new bout begins. Determining whether or not repetitive behavior occurs in bouts prior to intervention may impact the type of intervention utilized during treatment of these behaviors, specifically by modifying interventions to have an effect on the overall occurrence of these repetitive behaviors. The purpose of this study was to identify whether repetitive behavior of children diagnosed with ASD occurred in bouts or was randomly distributed across time. Models of behavior used in EAB research (e.g., log survivorship curves) were applied for observations of repetitive behavior for several individuals, and results indicate that whether behavior occurs in bouts is idiosyncratic. Implications for future research and intervention efficacy will be discussed.