The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of several applied behavior teaching procedures on the use of multi-word utterances by children with autism.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
9
The mand training component of treatment will consist of behavioral principles designed to increase the participant's Mean Length of Utterances (MLU) when manding.
The matrix training component of treatment will consist of behavioral principles designed to teach labeling of noun-verb and color-shape combinations using matrix training.
The stimulus equivalence training component of treatment is designed to examine the emergence of untrained skills following the training of relational skills.
Change in Mean Length of Utterances (MLU) during manding
The mean length of utterances (MLU) during manding will be evaluated in a 10 minute probe. The goal of intervention is to increase of MLU to an average of 3 words per mand.
Time frame: Baseline (Up to 24 Weeks), End of Standard Treatment (Up to 36 weeks)
Acquisition of noun-verb and color-shape combinations during tacting
The goal of intervention is mastery of 80% of evaluated noun-verb and color-shape targets.
Time frame: Baseline (Up to 24 Weeks), End of Standard Treatment (Up to 36 weeks)
Emergence of intraverbal responses
The goal of intervention is the mastery of 80% of evaluated intraverbal responses (2 for each target, 18 total).
Time frame: Baseline (Up to 24 Weeks), End of Standard Treatment (Up to 36 weeks)
Change in Macarthur Bates-Communicative Development Inventory (CDI) Score
The Macarthur Bates-Communicative Development Inventory (CDI) is completed by a parent/caregiver and evaluates current word use . A higher score indicates the use of more words.
Time frame: Baseline (Up to 24 Weeks), End of Standard Treatment (Up to 36 weeks)
Observe overall improvements in pragmatic language within social/play interactions with parents/caregivers, as measured on the Direct Observation of Spoken Language (DOSL).
A goal of the intervention is to observe an increase in spontaneous mands, an increase in spontaneous tacts, as well as an increase in intraverbal responses.
Time frame: Baseline (Up to 24 Weeks), End of Standard Treatment (Up to 36 weeks)
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