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A Systematic Literature Review Of Behavioral Interventions For Phelan-Mcdermid Syndrome, Kate Anne Schroeder

Culminating Projects in Community Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy

Abstract

The purpose of this review was to summarize literature relating to treatment of Phelan-McDermid syndrome and identify ways in which applied behavior analysis can benefit this population. A systematic literature search revealed 23 articles focusing on treatment of Phelan-McDermid syndrome. Results indicated that previous interventions included: hormones, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, selective reuptake inhibitors, psychotropics, and anxiolytics/sleeping pills. Despite reported medical successes, behavioral challenges facing the Phelan-McDermid syndrome community parallels those behavior analysts routinely address. To that end, the review concludes with ways in which applied behavior analysis can support those affected by Phelan-McDermid syndrome.

Keywords: Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, 22q13, …

Randomization In Multiple Baseline Designs, Lissa Bonnstetter

Culminating Projects in Community Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy

In empirical work, randomization is seen as an effective means of controlling for potential biases. This thesis reviews the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) multiple baseline design articles from 1968-2017 to identify if and how articles randomize their participants, phases, trials, settings, or other factors. In this review, we suggest the requirement of randomization in multiple baseline design articles that is determined prior to the start of baseline to improve internal validity.

Improving Conversation Skills In A Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Textual Prompts And Front-To-Back Fading, Emily Knox

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

A central characteristic of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are deficits in social communication, which often results in delays in speech and impairments in communication skills. The present study’s goal was to improve the quality of conversation skills in a seven-year-old diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. A multiple baseline across behaviors probe design was used to teach the child appropriate responses in three conversation scripts about topics of interest of the child. The scripts were presented to the child using visual text prompts that were faded out using a front-to-back fading procedure. When the child met criteria for reinforcement, it was …

A Comparison Of Function- And Nonfunction-Based Extinction For Inappropriate Mealtime Behavior, Caitlin Kirkwood

Theses & Dissertations

Previous literature supports the use of a functional analysis to prescribe treatment for children with feeding disorders (Bachmeyer et al., 2009; Piazza, Fisher, et al., 2003). Nevertheless, clinicians often train caregivers to use healthy contingencies, independent of whether those contingencies are function based. We do not know, however, whether including nonfunction-based contingencies differentially affects inappropriate mealtime behavior. In the current study, we observed that caregivers of 3 children with feeding disorders provided escape from bites and drinks and attention following inappropriate mealtime behavior. Results of a functional analysis showed escape from bites or drinks, but not attention, reinforced inappropriate mealtime …

Establishing Quality Standards For Applied Behavior Analytic Skill- Acquisition Interventions: A Translational Model With Undergraduate Students, Samantha Cj Bergmann

Theses and Dissertations

Treatment integrity is the extent to which components of an intervention are implemented as intended (Gresham, 1989). Recent behavior-analytic literature has begun to evaluate the effects of impaired treatment integrity on efficacy and efficiency of skill-acquisition interventions. We extended current literature on the effects of errors of omission and commission of reinforcement on the acquisition of conditional discriminations. We used a translational research model to replicate and extend Hirst and DiGennaro Reed (2015) to investigate the effects of impaired treatment integrity with undergraduate students. We compared the efficacy and efficiency of instruction implemented with varying degrees of integrity in a …

Comparison Of Discrete Trial Teaching And The Verbal Behavior Approach In Early Learners With Autism In A School Setting, Irene Chan

Theses and Dissertations

There are many different interventions available to individuals with autism, and the benefits of each therapy may vary for each student. Two vastly different treatments are discrete trial teaching (DTT) and the verbal behavior approach (VBA). While both are based in the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), VBA relies more on naturalistic teaching opportunities to teach language in context than DTT, which is conducted in structured instructional sessions. The literature supporting DTT is extensive, with many randomized control trial studies to corroborate its effectiveness. Meanwhile, VBA lacks empirical support as a package; though many studies demonstrate the success of …

The Effects Of Simultaneous Prompting And Instructive Feedback For Individuals With Autism, Brandie S. Rankin

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental delay characterized by significant impairment in many areas including: social communication, academic, occupational, and activities of daily living. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates that educators use evidence-based practices (EBPs) with individuals receiving special education services. In addition to EBPs, educators should provide the most efficient instruction possible. This study examines the efficacy of two EBPs on the acquisition of spoken category names (i.e., fruit, nut, vegetable, herb): (1) simultaneous prompting – a prompt-fading procedure, and (2) instructive feedback (IF) – a technique in which additional stimuli are presented during a …

Teaching Eye Contact And Responding To Name To Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Amelia M. Fonger

Dissertations

Eye contact and responding to name may be described as behavioral cusps because acquiring these skills extends contact with the environment, can allow behavior to come under the control of new contingencies, and may facilitate the acquisition of new behavior (Bloom & Lahey, 1978; Carbone, O’Brien, Sweeney-Kerwin, & Albert, 2013; Cook et al., 2017; Hanley, Heal, Tiger, & Ingvarsson, 2007; Rosales-Ruiz & Baer, 1997; Tiegerman & Primavera, 1984; Weiss & Zane, 2010). Eye contact and responding to name are commonly cited as targets for early intensive behavioral intervention; however, the existing literature is limited in its ability to guide a …

Using Video Self-Evaluation To Enhance Performance Of Competitive Dancers, Jesenia Giambrone

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study used a multiple baseline across behaviors design to evaluate the use of video self-evaluation on the performance of dance movements. The self-evaluation condition included training participants how to view a video of them performing the dance movement and evaluate their own performance from video using a task analysis of the movement. Each participant applied the self-evaluation procedure to three separate dance moves. Target behaviors were scored using an individualized task analysis for each dance move. Self-evaluation improved all three dance moves for each participant. Self-evaluation produced an increase in all target behaviors from baseline to intervention for each …

Examining The Effects Of Behavioral Skills Training On Movement Patterns In Youth Female Soccer Athletes, Marrissa Harris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In certain sports, the ability of an athlete to change direction while sprinting is considered a vital skill required to be successful. Soccer is one of those sports and because of that learning to properly execute change of direction movements become very important. Statistics show a growing increase in youth female participation in soccer and as a result, injuries within this population has also increased. Because female athletes are at a greater risk for ACL injuries than males, coaches have acknowledged the need for proper training that will assist female athletes in executing skills safely. Current training programs for ACL …