Reprogramming the social environment of an autistic child

The effects of a token reinforcement and response cost procedure on the social skills, and academic and problem behaviours of a nine-year-old autistic child were assessed using a token economy treatment programme. The treatment was carried out in the child's home environment with his parents acting as therapists. It was found that the child's learning was enhanced and his problem behaviours were brought under parental control. These results seem particularly significant because it demonstrates the feasibility of using a token economy treatment programme with autistic children.