|
| Novel Interventions to Address Behaviors Maintained by Automatic Reinforcement |
| Saturday, May 27, 2017 |
| 10:00 AM–10:50 AM |
| Convention Center Mile High Ballroom 4E/F |
| Area: AUT/PRA; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: Leslie Singer (University of South Florida) |
| Discussant: Andrew L. Samaha (University of South Florida) |
| CE Instructor: Leslie Singer, M.A. |
| Abstract: This symposium will present two research studies evaluating novel interventions to treat unique behaviors maintained by automatic reinforcement for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The first study will describe using Teaching with Acoustical Guidance (TAG) to increase appropriate steps and decrease severe toe-walking for a young child with autism. A pre-treatment screening analysis suggested that toe-walking was maintained by automatic reinforcement. TAG was effective in increasing appropriate steps taken and generalized to the home environment. The second study will describe an assessment and intervention for decreasing bruxism for two children with ASD. The functional analysis determined that bruxism was maintained by automatic reinforcement therefore a matched stimulation intervention was implemented (either auditory or tactile stimulation) and found to decrease bruxism. A post matched stimulation evaluation was also conducted and showed the occurrence of bruxism remained at low levels following a short time period with the stimulus then removal of the matched stimulus, suggesting the application of the matched stimulus may have served as an abolishing operation. Implications from the results for both studies will be discussed in detail. |
| Instruction Level: Intermediate |
| Keyword(s): ASD, automatic reinforcement, bruxism, toe-walking |
| |
Using Acoustical Guidance to Decrease Toe-Walking |
| Ansley Catherine Hodges (Nemours Children's Hospital), Alison M. Betz (Florida Institute of Technology), Kristen Antia (Nemours Children's Hospital), David A. Wilder (Florida Institute of Technology), JAMIE VILLACORTA (Nemours Children's Hospital) |
| Abstract: The present study evaluated the effects of Teaching with Acoustical Guidance (TAG) to increase the number of appropriate steps and decrease toe-walking exhibited by a five-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder in a hospital setting. This participant was selected due to severity of toe-walking, which left untreated would have required surgery on each ankle within the calendar year. After a pre-treatment screening analysis suggested that toe walking was maintained by automatic reinforcement, we evaluated acoustical guidance to decrease toe walking. TAG was effective in increasing the rate of appropriate steps taken and decreasing the rate of inappropriate steps taken. We also faded the use of the procedure and the decrease in toe walking maintained. Finally, we assessed the generalization of treatment effects at home; the effects maintained there as well. Results are discussed in terms of the severity of the behavior and the effort involved in implementing the acoustical guidance procedure. |
| |
Functional Analysis and Treatment of Bruxism Using a Matched Stimulation Intervention |
| Morgan N. Scarff (University of South Florida; AchieveAbility Therapy), Kimberly Crosland (University of South Florida), ROCKY HAYNES (University of South Florida) |
| Abstract: Bruxism, the gnashing or grinding of ones teeth, is a significant dental concern that can lead to severe damage of the tooth and gum structures and occurs in higher rates with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Little research has been conducted in this area and studies have not utilized function based treatments nor conducted functional analyses. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of a matched stimulation intervention on bruxism with two adolescent boys diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Functional analyses were conducted for both participants and revealed that bruxism was exhibited across all conditions and occurred highest in the alone condition, suggesting that the behavior was maintained by automatic reinforcement. Based on these findings, a function based matched stimulation treatment was developed to examine the effects of auditory and tactile stimuli on bruxism relative to conditions in which no stimuli were available. Results indicated that the matched stimulation intervention produced substantial decreases in bruxism for both participants. A post matched stimulation evaluation further supported these findings, showing the occurrence of bruxism remained at low levels following the removal of the stimulus, suggesting the application of the matched stimulus acted as an abolishing operation. |
|
| |