Intrusiveness Of Behavioral Treatments For Children With Autism And Developmental Disabilities: An Initial Investigation, Michael R. Mayton, Stacy L. Carter, Jie Zhang, John J. Wheeler
May 2017
Intrusiveness Of Behavioral Treatments For Children With Autism And Developmental Disabilities: An Initial Investigation, Michael R. Mayton, Stacy L. Carter, Jie Zhang, John J. Wheeler
John J. Wheeler
The behaviors frequently displayed by students with autism can place them at risk for overly reactive behavior interventions with unwanted side effects. The current study examined the level of intrusiveness of behavioral treatments developed for 198 students with disabilities from 13 different states. Results demonstrated that students diagnosed with autism had proportionally more intrusive behavior interventions when compared to students in five other disability categories and indicated that many students with autism were unnecessarily subjected to highly intrusive behavior interventions. The implications of these findings are discussed, and recommendations for future research are provided.
Effectiveness Of Gluten-Free And Casein-Free Diets For Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Evidence-Based Research Synthesis, Jie Zhang, Michael R. Mayton, John J. Wheeler
May 2017
Effectiveness Of Gluten-Free And Casein-Free Diets For Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Evidence-Based Research Synthesis, Jie Zhang, Michael R. Mayton, John J. Wheeler
John J. Wheeler
In order to better assist practitioners and better serve persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families, it is vital for professionals to systematically evaluate the existing body of literature and synthesize its scientific evidence, so that the efficacy of research can be translated to evidence-based practices (EBPs) (Wheeler, 2007; Zhang & Wheeler, 2011). This research synthesis evaluated adherence to EBP standards and analyzed the effectiveness of gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diets for individuals with ASD. Four hundred and seventy articles were screened among peer-reviewed journals in English language published through 2010 using the Academic Search Complete search database. …
Designing Effective School-Based Interventions For Children With Autism In Underserved Regions, John J. Wheeler
May 2017
Designing Effective School-Based Interventions For Children With Autism In Underserved Regions, John J. Wheeler
John J. Wheeler
No abstract provided.
A Meta-Analysis Of Peer-Mediated Interventions For Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Jie Zhang, John J. Wheeler
Dec 2010
A Meta-Analysis Of Peer-Mediated Interventions For Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Jie Zhang, John J. Wheeler
John J. Wheeler
This meta-analysis investigated the efficacy of peer-mediated interventions for promoting social interactions among children from birth to eight years of age diagnosed with ASD. Forty-five single-subject design studies were analyzed and the effect sizes were calculated by the regression model developed by Allison and Gorman (1993). The overall effect sizes suggest that peer-mediated interventions were highly effective. Further categorical comparisons suggest that these interventions were more effective in enhancing social responses in younger boys, when older male siblings served as interventionists, when the interventions took place in the home, when peer modeling was used, and when consideration was given to …
A Teacher's Checklist For Evaluating Treatment Intrusiveness, Stacy L. Carter, Michael R. Mayton, John J. Wheeler
Dec 2010
A Teacher's Checklist For Evaluating Treatment Intrusiveness, Stacy L. Carter, Michael R. Mayton, John J. Wheeler
John J. Wheeler
Teachers are frequently involved in developing and evaluating treatments for problematic behaviors. Along with other members of the interdisciplinary team, they must determine the level of intrusiveness that a treatment may have on a student. Several factors that influence the intrusiveness of treatment procedures are described. These factors were used to develop a checklist that could be used systematically by teachers to evaluate the intrusiveness of treatments recommended by treatment teams. After the checklist was administered to a group of preservice teachers, it was found to be capable of discriminating among several treatment options described in a series of case …
Mercury And Autism: A Review, Jie Zhang, John J. Wheeler
Dec 2009
Mercury And Autism: A Review, Jie Zhang, John J. Wheeler
John J. Wheeler
Abstract: The prevalence of autism has increased approximately four times in children in nearly one decade (California Health and Human Services Agency, 2003). It has been reported that explanations such as immigration, shifts in the interpretation of diagnostic criteria, improved identification, or diagnostic accuracies cannot explain the observed increase (Geier & Geier, 2005). One potential cause that has alarmed many has been the presence of thimersol, the mercury-based preservative found among immunizations. Although many refute this, concern has been leveled by many families and professionals concerning the potential impact of mercury poisoning as a causal factor. Researchers have proposed that …
An Analysis Of Evidence-Based Practices In The Education Of Learners With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Michael R. Mayton, John J. Wheeler, Anthony L. Menendez, Jie Zhang
Dec 2009
An Analysis Of Evidence-Based Practices In The Education Of Learners With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Michael R. Mayton, John J. Wheeler, Anthony L. Menendez, Jie Zhang
John J. Wheeler
Horner et al. (2005) present a review substantiating how single-subject research methodology can be utilized to determine whether interventions are evidence-based practices (EBPs). The current study utilized the Horner et al. research piece to: (a) systematically identify a set of quality standards for the evaluation of single-case research methodology used with learners with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), (b) operationalize these standards for evaluators, (c) investigate three additional quality indicators related to external validity (multiple studies, locations, and researchers), (d) create a protocol for evaluators, and (e) gather and analyze data from studies that meet a set of predefined criteria. Published …
An Assessment Of Treatment Integrity In Behavioral Intervention Studies Conducted With Persons With Mental Retardation, John J. Wheeler, Michael R. Mayton, Stacy L. Carter, Anthony L. Menendez, Ann Huang
Dec 2008
An Assessment Of Treatment Integrity In Behavioral Intervention Studies Conducted With Persons With Mental Retardation, John J. Wheeler, Michael R. Mayton, Stacy L. Carter, Anthony L. Menendez, Ann Huang
John J. Wheeler
The purpose of this study was to assess the degree to which behavioral intervention studies conducted with persons with mental retardation operationally defined the independent variables and evaluated and reported measures of treatment integrity. The study expands the previous work in this area reported by Gresham, Gansle, and Noell (1993) and Wheeler, Baggett, Fox, and Blevins (2006) by providing an evaluation of empirical investigations published in multiple journals in the fields of applied behavior analysis and mental retardation from 1996 –2006. Results of the review indicated that relatively few of the studies fully reported data on treatment integrity.
Functional Analysis And Reduction Of Inappropriate Spitting, Stacy L. Carter, John J. Wheeler
Dec 2006
Functional Analysis And Reduction Of Inappropriate Spitting, Stacy L. Carter, John J. Wheeler
John J. Wheeler
Functional analysis was used to determine the possible function of inappropriate spitting behavior of
an adult woman who had been diagnosed with profound mental retardation. Results of an initial descriptive
assessment indicated a possible attention function and led to an attention-based intervention, which was
deemed ineffective at reducing the frequency of spitting. A follow-up functional analysis revealed an automatic
function and an intervention of medication prescribed for gastro-esophageal reflux markedly reduced the
frequency of inappropriate spitting. The implications for using functional analysis as a means of identifying
biological events such as medical illness are discussed.
Preventing Challenging Behaviour Through The Management Of Instructional Antecedents, John J. Wheeler, Stacy L. Carter, Michael R. Mayton, Morgan Chitiyo
Dec 2005
Preventing Challenging Behaviour Through The Management Of Instructional Antecedents, John J. Wheeler, Stacy L. Carter, Michael R. Mayton, Morgan Chitiyo
John J. Wheeler
Several methods for evaluating the influence of antecedents on challenging behaviour have been described in the literature, however the portability of these methods within the classroom has been questionable. The purpose of this paper will be to provide a practical understanding of evidence-based practices used in the assessment and management of instructional antecedents. The importance of understanding the relationship between instructional antecedents and desired learner responses will be examined within the context of two adolescent learners with developmental disabilities who experienced challenging behaviour. (Contains 2 figures.)
Pica: A Review Of Recent Assessment And Treatment Procedures
Nov 2004
Pica: A Review Of Recent Assessment And Treatment Procedures
John J. Wheeler
The phenomenon of pica has been described within the literature in many ways, from a socially acceptable practice to a life threatening behavior. Recent prevalence rates of pica indicate relatively low occurrence of this phenomenon that makes it difficult to easily identify trends in practices related to pica. Recent literature on pica (1990 to 2002) indicate a trend toward use of more reinforcement based procedures and less use of more intrusive procedures such as overcorrection, time-out and restraint as was reported in the literature prior to 1990. Most recent studies of pica appear to have an underlying basis in behavior …
An Analysis Of Instructional Components And Their Effects On Task Engagement And Self-Aggression Within A Classroom Setting, John J. Wheeler, Stacy L. Carter, Michael R. Mayton, Rebekah A. Thomas
Nov 2002
An Analysis Of Instructional Components And Their Effects On Task Engagement And Self-Aggression Within A Classroom Setting, John J. Wheeler, Stacy L. Carter, Michael R. Mayton, Rebekah A. Thomas
John J. Wheeler
A brief structural analysis of instructional variables assessed levels of task engagement and self-aggression behavior in a seven-year- old child with multiple disabilities. Results indicated increased levels of task-engagement and reduced levels of self-aggression as stepwise changes in treatment components occurred, validating use of structural analysis of instructional variables in the classroom setting.
Acquisition And Generalization Of Activity Schedules And Their Effects On Task Engagement In A Young Child With Autism In An Inclusive Pre-School Classroom, N. Gayle Massey, John J. Wheeler
Aug 2001
Acquisition And Generalization Of Activity Schedules And Their Effects On Task Engagement In A Young Child With Autism In An Inclusive Pre-School Classroom, N. Gayle Massey, John J. Wheeler
John J. Wheeler
Efficacy of individualized activity schedules with a 4-year old child diagnosed with autism who attended an integrated public pre-school classroom was examined. Graduated physical guidance and a system of most-to-least prompts were used during skill acquisition stages with teacher proximity and level of prompts being eventually faded. A multiple baseline across activities (work and leisure) assessed performance across baseline, treatment, and maintenance conditions with stimulus generalization being assessed during a third activity (lunch). Results support the findings from MacDuff, Krantz, and McClannahan (1993) in that a child with autism can successfully acquire the skills necessary to independently follow activity schedules …
The Use Of Interactive Focus Groups To Aid In The Identification Of Perceived Service And Support Delivery Needs Of Persons With Developmental Disabilities And Their Families, John J. Wheeler
Nov 1996
The Use Of Interactive Focus Groups To Aid In The Identification Of Perceived Service And Support Delivery Needs Of Persons With Developmental Disabilities And Their Families, John J. Wheeler
John J. Wheeler
A growing area of concern in the field of developmental disabilities is how to deliver and evaluate quality services and supports to persons with developmental disabilities and their families. This has been termed quality assurance. Quality assurance has been defined as a process which involves the identification and articulation of certain values and beliefs which serve as a foundation for the delivery of services and supports (Sundram, 1993). The quality assurance process is aimed at how services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families are delivered and evaluated. A critical component of this process is the partnership …
An Exploratory Resource Allocation Model For Implementing Supported Employment Services, Philip S. Hall, John J. Wheeler
Nov 1993
An Exploratory Resource Allocation Model For Implementing Supported Employment Services, Philip S. Hall, John J. Wheeler
John J. Wheeler
The purpose of this paper is to provide an exploratory resource allocation model for projecting the resource allocations necessary to implement community-based supported employment services to persons with mental retardation. The model relied on a survey of regional adult service and public school providers to obtain an estimate of the costs and time-lines required for job development. A multi-variate linear regression model was used to project the hours that would be required to develop a job site based on the size of the community, the rate of unemployment, and the percent of service jobs. The extant literature was used as …
Development Of A Leisure Satisfaction Scale For Use With Adolescents And Adults With Mental Retardation: Initial Findings, John H. Hoover, John J. Wheeler, Linda J. Reetz
May 1992
Development Of A Leisure Satisfaction Scale For Use With Adolescents And Adults With Mental Retardation: Initial Findings, John H. Hoover, John J. Wheeler, Linda J. Reetz
John J. Wheeler
Investigated the psychometric properties of a structured interview for assessing leisure satisfaction in mentally retarded persons. The Ss were 40 persons (aged 21–66 yrs) with developmental disabilities and a contrast group of 20 college students. Between-item correlations suggested that the interview constituted a unitary scale. The internal-consistency reliability of a scale made of all 33 items was .73. Interrater reliability was 97.35%. Items that did not correlate with the total scale tended to be those associated with general leisure satisfaction, whereas items referring to specific activities tended to correlate with the total scale. Items reflecting specific pursuits made up the …
The Use Of Extended Follow-Along Procedures In A Supported Employment Setting, Paul Renzaglia, John J. Wheeler, Harold B. Hanson, Sidney R. Miller
Feb 1991
The Use Of Extended Follow-Along Procedures In A Supported Employment Setting, Paul Renzaglia, John J. Wheeler, Harold B. Hanson, Sidney R. Miller
John J. Wheeler
This study is a follow-up to a study which previously appeared in Education and Training in Mental Retardation conducted by Wheeler, Bates, Marshall, and Miller (1988). The Wheeler et al., (1988) study examined the use of a self-monitoring procedure to remediate the social skills behaviors of a young man with Down syndrome (i.e., Phil) in a supported competitive employment setting. The present study, which was conducted six-months later demonstrates the efficacy of the follow-along component of the supported employment model and also demonstrates the use of a criterion-referenced assessment and treatment package to re-train technical job skills.
Teaching Appropriate Social Behaviors To A Young Man With Moderate Mental Retardation In A Supported Competitive Employment Setting, John J. Wheeler, Paul Bates, Kathleen J. Marshall, Sidney R. Miller
May 1988
Teaching Appropriate Social Behaviors To A Young Man With Moderate Mental Retardation In A Supported Competitive Employment Setting, John J. Wheeler, Paul Bates, Kathleen J. Marshall, Sidney R. Miller
John J. Wheeler
This study validated the efficacy of the supported employment model in maintaining the employment of a young man with Down Syndrome identified as moderately mentally retarded. In this study, social skills training and self-monitoring were used to remediate socially inappropriate behaviors which were jeopardizing his continued employment. Results of this investigation indicate that appropriate social behaviors were improved and maintained over the 38-week period with the level of trainer support also being systematically faded over time. The conclusions of this study provide guidelines for on-the-job training and follow-up procedures which have been found to be necessary in assisting persons with …
