Abstract
Three autisticlike boys with deficits in imitative and appropriate play behaviors were taught to play with an unfamiliar toy by observing a peer model demonstrate appropriate play with the toy. Generalization was assessed across toys and models, and temporal maintenance was assessed at 1 and 3 weeks following generalization. Following training each child demonstrated increases in imitative play concomitant with decreases in the frequency of nonmanipulated selfstimulatory behavior. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for the amelioration of social isolation and self-stimulatory behavior.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bandura, A., & Walters, R. (1963).Social learning and personality development. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
Barry, N. J., & Overmann, P. B. (1977). Comparison of the effectiveness of adult and peer models with EMR children.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 82, 33–36.
Brown, J. (1960). Prognosis from presenting symptoms of preschool children with atypical development.American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 30, 382–390.
Charlop, M., Schreibman, S., & Tryon, A. (1983). Learning through observation: The effects of peer modeling on acquisition and generalization in autistic children.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 11, 355–366.
Coleman, S. L., & Stedman, J. M. (1974). Use of a peer model in language training an autistic child.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychology, 5, 275–279.
Egel, A. L., Richman, G., & Koegel, R. L. (1981). Normal peer models and autistic children's learning.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 14, 3–12.
Flavell, J. D., McGimsey, J. F., & Schell, R. M. (1982). Treatment of self-injury by providing alternate sensory activities.Analysis and Intervention in Developmental Disabilities, 2, 83–104.
Hayes, S. C., Rincover, A., & Volosin, D. (1980). Variables influencing acquisition and maintenance of aggressive behavior: Modeling versus sensory reinforcement.Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 89, 254–262.
Koegel, R. L., & Covert, A. (1972). The relationship of self-stimulation to learning in autistic children.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 5, 381–387.
Koegel, R. L., Firestone, P. B., Kramme, K. W., & Dunlap, G. (1974). Increasing spontaneous play by suppressing self-stimulation in autistic children.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 7, 521–528.
Lovaas, O. I., Koegel, R. L., Simmons, J. Q., & Long, J. S. (1973). Some generalization and follow-up measures on autistic children in behavior therapy.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 6, 131–166.
Lovaas, O. I., Litrownik, A., & Mann, R. (1971). Response latencies to auditory stimuli in autistic children engaged in self-stimulatory behavior.Behaviour Research and Therapy, 9, 39–49.
Metz, J. R. (1965). Conditioning generalized peer imitation in autistic children.Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 2, 389–399.
Mulick, J. A., Hoyt, P., Rojahn, J., & Schroeder, S. R. (1978). Reduction of a “nervous habit” in a profoundly retarded youth by increasing toy play.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 9, 381–385.
Risley, T. R. (1968). The effects and side-effects of punishing the autistic behaviors of a deviant child.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1, 21–34.
Schreibman, L. (1981).Behavioral definitions: Observation of behaviors in free-play situations. Unpublished manuscript.
Schreibman, L., Koegel, R. L., Charlop, M. H., & Egel, A. L. (1982). Autism. In A. S. Bellack, M. Hersen, & A. E. Kazdin (Eds.),International handbook of behavior modification and therapy. New York: Plenum Press.
Schreibman, L., & Mills, J. (1983). Infantile autism. In T. J. Ollendick & M. Hersen (Eds.),Handbook of child psychopathology. New York: Plenum Press.
Skinner, B. R. (1957).Verbal behavior. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
Stokes, T. F., & Baer, D. M. (1977). An implicit technology of generalization.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 10, 349–367.
Tarplay, H., & Schroeder, S. (1979). Comparison of DRO and DRI on rate of suppression of self-injurious beahvior.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 84, 188–194.
Varni, J. W., Lovaas, O. I., Koegel, R. L., & Everett, N. L. (1979). An analysis of observational learning in autistic and normal children.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 7, 31–43.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The authors wish to acknowledge the help and cooperation of the Henry Wiseman Kendall Center and the Highpoint Preschool Enrichment Program.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tryon, A.S., Keane, S.P. Promoting imitative play through generalized observational learning in autisticlike children. J Abnorm Child Psychol 14, 537–549 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01260522
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01260522