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Normative Sample of the PEAK Relational Training System: Generalization Module with Comparison to Individuals with Autism

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Abstract

With the rising number of individuals diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities comes an increased need for effective assessment and treatment options. Previous research has indicated that applied behavior analytic techniques are among the most empirically supported and utilized treatments for this population; however, curriculum and assessment tools rooted in utilizing these techniques have very little empirical support for their reliability and validity. The current studies sought to assess the performance of both a normative sample and a sample with autism on one such assessment tool: The PEAK Generalization Module. Altogether, 183 typically developing children participated in study 1 and 84 children with a diagnosis of autism participated in study 2. The results indicated that the normative sample demonstrated a strong positive correlation between the PEAK Generalization Assessment and age, whereas the sample with autism demonstrated no significant relationship between the two. Further analysis indicates that the PEAK Generalization Assessment may be an appropriate tool for assessing individuals with autism across a wide range of ages, and provides a preliminary benchmark against which to measure both current functioning and progress in individuals with developmental disabilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Behavior Analysis and Therapy Program, Rehabilitation Institute, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA

    Mark R. Dixon, Kyle E. Rowsey, Karl F. Gunnarsson, Jordan Belisle, Caleb R. Stanley & Jacob H. Daar

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  1. Mark R. Dixon
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  2. Kyle E. Rowsey
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  3. Karl F. Gunnarsson
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  4. Jordan Belisle
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  5. Caleb R. Stanley
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  6. Jacob H. Daar
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Correspondence to Mark R. Dixon.

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Conflict of interest

Mark R. Dixon receives royalties from the sales of the PEAK curriculum. All remaining authors declare that he/she has no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Institutional and/or National Research Committee and with the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants/guardians who were included in the study.

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Dixon, M.R., Rowsey, K.E., Gunnarsson, K.F. et al. Normative Sample of the PEAK Relational Training System: Generalization Module with Comparison to Individuals with Autism. J Behav Educ 26, 101–122 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-016-9261-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-016-9261-4

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