Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder may engage in repetitive vocal behaviors which interfere with a structured environment and social inclusion. If untreated, these vocal behaviors maintain into adulthood potentially impeding gainful employment and independent living. This analysis specifically focused on treatments available for presumed or functionally determined automatically reinforced repetitive vocal behaviors, also known as vocal stereotypy. For this review, a systematic keyword search of the literature identified 66 articles and a Tau-U measure of effect size was calculated for 34 eligible studies in order to determine impact of interventions on vocal stereotypy. Of the single-component interventions assessed, three interventions demonstrated a very large effect: interactive activity (0.94), self-management (0.89), and response interruption and redirection (interrupted measurement, 0.86). Additionally, 92% of treatment packages reached a very large effect (0.85-1.00), all of which included stimulus control and/or response cost intervention components. Theoretical and practical applications are discussed, as well as implications for future research.
The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a popular augmentative and alternative communication strategy. Like many communication interventions, the successful use of PECS is dependent on the skills of the communication partner. This article provides a systematic review of the published research on teaching education professionals (EPs) to use PECS. Training of EPs was usually conducted during individual or small group sessions and included a description of the PECS strategy, practice on implementation of PECS, and feedback on performance. Instructional activities typically resulted in an immediate increase in the quality and/or quantity of PECS opportunities provided by the EP; however, mixed findings are reported for maintenance and generalization. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
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