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Using A Multicomponent Intervention To Increase Appropriate Transitions To School, Laura Catalina Dimas Agudelo

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

School attendance is important for the social and academic development of children. Therefore, appropriate transitions to school are a necessary skill for students. Differential reinforcement of other behaviors (DRO) is a non-intrusive procedure used to decrease undesired behaviors. Likewise, differential reinforcement of alternative behaviors (DRA) is a widely used procedure to increase appropriate alternative behaviors while reducing inappropriate behaviors. This procedure has been assessed throughout behavior analytic literature alongside other behavioral components. The use of DRA without extinction has been shown to be an effective procedure to increase appropriate behaviors and decrease disruptive behaviors without completely withholding reinforcement for behaviors …

Using Behavioral Skills Training With Self-Monitoring To Increase Conversation Skills In Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Laura De Zayas

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

One of the major skill deficits found in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lack of social skills. These socials skills range from having conversations, interpreting nonverbal behavior, understanding emotions, and understanding the perspective of others. Behavior skills training (BST) and self-monitoring have generally been shown to be effective in improving social skills for individuals with ASD. However, there is limited research that used BST with self-monitoring as an intervention package to improve social skills, particularly communication skills of adolescents with ASD in the school setting. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to extend the current literature …

Implementing The Break Pass Intervention With Differential Reinforcement To Improve Engagement In Play With Siblings For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Shannon R. Shafmaster

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This report describes the results from a study that examined the use of the break pass intervention to increase engagement in play with siblings for children with autism spectrum disorder. Two male children with ASD aged 6-years old, who had difficulty engaging in play activities with siblings participated in the study. The intervention used break passes to teach mands for breaks by providing the children with breaks throughout the play activity and to provide reinforcement for engaging in play with siblings in the absence of problem behavior. The impact of the intervention on engagement in play with siblings and disruptive …

Feasibility Of A Virtual Group Nutrition Intervention For Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Acadia W. Buro

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: Youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have an increased likelihood of being overweight or developing obesity. As children and adolescents with ASD exhibit problematic eating behaviors and may consume more energy-dense foods and fewer fruits and vegetables than typically developing youth, nutrition represents a modifiable obesity risk factor for adolescents with ASD, yet there is a lack of interventions to improve healthy eating and reduce the risk of obesity in this population.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a virtual implementation of BALANCE (Bringing Adolescent Learners with Autism Nutrition …

A Review Of Manualized Behavioral Parent Training Interventions For Young Children With Problem Behavior, Khendal I. Robinson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Behavioral parent training (BPT) interventions have been developed to aid in the treatment of children with problem behavior. The goals of these interventions are to reduce child specific problem behavior and improve skills, and enhance parenting skills and competence. However, more information is needed on the manualized BPT interventions in particular, on children and parents who benefited from the BPT interventions, any individualized cultural adaptations made for families from diverse cultural backgrounds, and training provided to the parents to help them address their children’ problem behavior during family routines. Therefore, this study reviewed literature on BPT interventions, in particular, single …

A Review Of Antecedent- And Consequence-Based Interventions For Vocal Stereotypy, Christine A. Roeper

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The exact prevalence of vocal stereotypy within individuals diagnosed with ASD in currently unknown. In a 2011 study on symptoms of ASD by Mayes and Calhoun, 85% of parents reported their child engaged in repetitive, atypical speech or vocalizations. While there is a plethora of research on behavioral interventions to reduce levels of vocal stereotypy in individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, at the time this review was written there is only one published review of the literature written by Lanovaz and Sladeczek in 2011. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to extend and update the 2011 review conducted …

Evaluation Of The Effects Of Video Modeling Types And Technologies, Laura J. Whitman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This paper aims to explore the literature available on video modeling. Video modeling teaches a variety of skills, including play skills, social skills, and daily living skills. Delivery of the video model varies based on researcher preference and available technology of the time. The paper provides descriptions and examples of different types of video modeling including, video self-modeling, simultaneous video modeling, video priming, interactive video modeling, and treatment packages. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research including the use of modern technologies with video modeling.

Peer Victimization In Youth With High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, Danielle Ung

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Peer victimization is a serious national concern affecting as many as 54% of typically developing children and adolescents. Although an extensive body of literature on peer victimization in typically developing youth exists, few studies have focused on how this problem affects youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who may be at a higher risk to experience peer victimization due to ASD symptomology and other common comorbid characteristics (e.g., anxiety and depressive symptoms) that may invite peer aggression. In this study, 81 school-aged youth between the ages of 9 and 17 years (M= 11.91, SD= 2.32) who were …

Becoming A Teacher In Multiple Voices: An Exploration Of Teacher Identity Formation Among Teachers Of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mary E. Wilt

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the formation of teacher identity among four teachers of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and my own by examining our perspectives, influences, and experiences at different points in our careers and determining the similarities and differences that exist in our professional and educational experiences. This study focused on how teacher identity is defined within the field of education, the current literature on teacher identity formation, and the importance of understanding the formation of teacher identity among teachers of children with autism, as well as how my own teacher identity has been …

The Effects Of Manipulating Conditioned Establishing Operations On The Acquisition Of Mands In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Claudia Troconis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In Verbal Behavior, Skinner (1957) suggested that each verbal operant has independent response functions, in which acquiring one does not automatically result in the other, unless transfer between the verbal operants is directly trained. Although several researchers have shown that mands and tacts are functionally independent, more recent research has demonstrated that mands may emerge following tact training. However, this research has not clarified the influence of establishing operations on the emergence of pure mands following tact training. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of tact training on the acquisition of impure and pure mands in children with autism …

It Is Time To Play! Peer Implemented Pivotal Response Training With A Child With Autism During Recess, Leigh Anne Sams

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Children with autism, by diagnostic criteria, experience a lack of age appropriate play and social skills (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). This study evaluated three typically developing peer's ability to implement Pivotal Response Training strategies during recess with a child with autism in their third grade class. A concurrent multiple probe baseline across peers design was used to assess peers ability to implement Pivotal Response Training strategies with the target child and the effects of intervention on the play and communication behavior of the target child. Generalization measures were taken in an untrained environment. Measures of social validity in the form …