Abstract
Objectives
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to display stereotypic behaviors in contexts where play and social interactions are typically expected. We sought to replicate and extend previous research involving the use of prompting and lag schedules of reinforcement to improve variability in play behavior and decrease stereotypy for children with ASD. We also sought to evaluate the claim that improved play would occasion an increase in opportunities for social interaction.
Methods
The study occurred on a public playground during an inclusive summer camp. During intervention, participants were prompted to vary play behaviors and received praise contingent on changes in play behavior. Effects on play, stereotypy, and opportunities for social interaction were assessed in a concurrent multiple baseline across participants’ design.
Results
An increase in play and a decrease in stereotypy for all three children were observed. However, corresponding changes in opportunity for social interaction with peers were not detected.
Conclusions
Intervention was effective in improving play variability and occasioned a decrease in stereotypic behavior across participants. However, additional intervention components would likely be necessary to occasion an increase in social play behavior.
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RL designed the study, supervised implementation, and collaborated on data analyses and writing. RM wrote the first draft of the study and collaborated on data analyses. PL recruited and assessed participants, implemented procedures, and supervised therapists. KD collaborated on study design and data analyses. KL collaborated on data analyses and writing. MR collaborated on data analyses and writing. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.
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Texas State University’s Institutional Review Board approved this study.
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All participants provided informed assent and guardians provided informed consent.
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Lang, R., Muharib, R., Lessner, P. et al. Increasing Play and Decreasing Stereotypy for Children with Autism on a Playground. Adv Neurodev Disord 4, 146–154 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-020-00150-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-020-00150-1