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Comparison of task interspersal ratios on efficiency of learning and problem behavior for children with autism spectrum disorder
Author(s) -
Knutson Sophie C.,
Kodak Tiffany,
Costello Dayna R.,
Cliett Terra
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of applied behavior analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1938-3703
pISSN - 0021-8855
DOI - 10.1002/jaba.527
Subject(s) - psychology , autism spectrum disorder , task (project management) , autism , multiple baseline design , intervention (counseling) , developmental psychology , reinforcement , applied behavior analysis , audiology , dreyfus model of skill acquisition , cognitive psychology , clinical psychology , social psychology , psychiatry , medicine , management , economic growth , economics
The current study extends the literature on task interspersal (TI) by comparing the effects of four different TI ratios on the efficiency of skill acquisition and on levels of problem behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder and related disorders. The four ratios of TI were 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, and 0:1 mastered‐to‐acquisition tasks. An adapted alternating treatments design was implemented to compare the cumulative number of stimuli mastered, mean training time to mastery, rate of acquisition, and the level of problem behavior. The results showed that the 0:1 condition was the most efficient intervention procedure for all four participants. In addition, TI did not lead to a greater reduction in levels of problem behavior.