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OBSERVATIONAL EFFECTS ON THE PREFERENCES OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
Author(s) -
Leaf Justin B,
OppenheimLeaf Misty L,
Leaf Ronald,
Courtemanche Andrea B,
Taubman Mitchell,
McEachin John,
Sheldon Jan B,
Sherman James A
Publication year - 2012
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 - 10.1901/jaba.2012.45-473
Subject(s) - observational study , psychology , autism , preference , autism spectrum disorder , intervention (counseling) , developmental psychology , typically developing , observational learning , psychiatry , pedagogy , medicine , pathology , economics , experiential learning , microeconomics
Children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may play with limited objects or toys, making it difficult for teachers to identify reinforcers to use in teaching new skills. The goal of this study was to alter children's preferences from highly preferred toys to toys that were originally less preferred using an observational pairing procedure. Child participants observed a preferred adult playing with toys that were initially less preferred by the child. This intervention resulted in a shift in preference toward the item manipulated by the adult. Maintenance of the changed preference was idiosyncratic across participants. Results suggest a procedure for expanding the range of items that students with ASD will select.