Useful behavioral programming leads to desired changes in behavior of persons with ASDs that can be seen in the relevant contexts and endure over time. Such generalization, however, cannot be assumed; in many cases, it must be explicitly programmed and evaluated. This study evaluated a strategy for doing just that. An instructional matrix was developed for teaching each of three foundational skills: responding to greetings, responding to a request to stop, and responding to a request to clarify communication. For each of these studies, three training situations were planned that included a sampling of the locations and other conditions in which the skill would be needed. In each of the completed studies (one is ongoing) participants performed the skill correctly in all tested environments, including those where no training had taken place. Presented at NECC ABA for clinicians 2014, APBA 2015, ABAI-Kyoto 2015, BABAT 2015, ICABATA Naples 2016.
Useful behavioral programming leads to desired changes in behavior that can be seen in the relevant contexts and endure over time. Such generalization, however, cannot be assumed; in many cases, it must be explicitly programmed and evaluated. This study evaluated a strategy for doing just that. An instructional matrix was developed for teaching each of three foundational skills: responding to greetings, responding to a request to stop, and responding to a request to clarify communication. For each of these studies, three training situations were planned that included a sampling of the locations and other conditions in which the skill would be needed. In each of the completed studies (one is ongoing) participants performed the skill correctly in all tested environments, including those where no training had taken place. Presented at NECC ABA for clinicians 2014, APBA 2015, ABAI-Kyoto 2015, BABAT 2015, ICABATA Naples 2016.
The next phase of this line of research will include a direct comparison between this approach and a more common approach wherein skills are taught under one set of conditions.