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Using Progressive Time Delay to Increase Levels of Peer Imitation During Sculpting Play

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Abstract

A multiple probe across participants with an embedded withdrawal single case research design was used to examine the effectiveness of a progressive time delay (PTD) procedure to teach preschoolers with disabilities to imitate their peers during a sculpting play activity. Data indicated the presence of a functional relation between the use of PTD and contingent reinforcement on increased levels of peer imitation across participants; levels also decreased when PTD was withdrawn, although not to baseline levels. Overall levels of peer imitation had a greater magnitude of change than demonstrated in previous research.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the children, families, teachers, and staff of the Susan Gray School whose participation and support made this study possible.

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Author notes

  1. Erin Sweeney

    Present address: Williamson County Schools, Franklin, TN, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vanderbilt University, 230 Appleton Place, Peabody 228, Nashville, TN, 37204, USA

    Erin Sweeney, Erin E. Barton & Jennifer R. Ledford

Authors
  1. Erin Sweeney
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  2. Erin E. Barton
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  3. Jennifer R. Ledford
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Contributions

E. S., E. B., and J. L. conceptualized the study. E. S. wrote an initial draft. E. B. and J. L. reviewed and edited the draft.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Erin E. Barton.

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Conflict of interest

Sweeney declares that she has no conflict of interest. Barton declares that she has no conflict of interest. Ledford declares that 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 research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Sweeney, E., Barton, E.E. & Ledford, J.R. Using Progressive Time Delay to Increase Levels of Peer Imitation During Sculpting Play. J Autism Dev Disord 53, 516–524 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3638-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3638-2

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