Promoting Accurate Variability of Social Skills in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Restricted and repetitive behaviors are core features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• These behaviors can limit social reinforcement opportunities for individuals with ASD.
• Effective social skills training is crucial for improving interaction and reducing challenging behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of training multiple behavior exemplars and using lag reinforcement schedules.
• To promote appropriate and varied social behavior in children with ASD.
• To enhance social skills within a group setting.

Main Methods:

• A multiple probe design across skills was used to evaluate intervention effects.
• Five children (ages 7-9) with ASD participated in an 8-week social skills group.
• Interventions included continuous reinforcement, training multiple exemplars, and Lag 2/Lag 4 reinforcement schedules.

Main Results:

• Skill accuracy improved with continuous reinforcement and single exemplar training.
• Appropriate behavioral variability remained low until lag schedules were introduced.
• Lag 2 and Lag 4 schedules, combined with multiple exemplars, significantly increased appropriate social behavior variability.

Conclusions:

• Training multiple exemplars and implementing lag reinforcement schedules are effective strategies.
• This approach can enhance appropriate variability in social behaviors for children with ASD.
• Findings suggest a promising intervention for improving social functioning in ASD.