Though the value of choice-making opportunities in behavioral interventions is well established, specific demonstrations of its applications are limited. In this study, we first taught participants to independently complete two types of activity schedules: a choice activity schedule (i.e., one that allowed the participants to choose the sequence of activities) and a no choice activity schedule (i.e., one in which the sequence was predetermined by the researcher).Then, we evaluated participant preference between the before-mentioned schedules, and a control activity schedule (i.e., baseline contingencies). Obtained preference was idiosyncratic across participants, highlighting the importance of individualized preference assessments in the context of play. Implications and future directions are discussed, including a refined framework for incorporating choice into independent activity schedule completion.
Positional bias is a pattern of responding to a specific location that can be influenced by response effort and/or prior learning history. Prior research on positional bias within stimulus preference assessments have focused primarily on its use in paired stimulus assessments due to the complex nature of the multiple stimulus without replacement (MSWO) preference assessment. The present study is a secondary data analysis that utilized four different methods to measure side and center bias in a MSWO preference assessment for 19 young children with autism spectrum disorder. Participants displayed varying degrees of biased responding but collectively engaged in minimal biased responding. This study includes an analysis of the four methodologies, discussion of general patterns of responding, and general recommendations for the application of these methodologies in future research.
Objectives
The purpose of this paper is to describe a university program, Spartan Caregiver Support, that provided free on-demand telehealth services to caregivers of people with autism during the State of Michigan’s 2020 Stay-at-Home order.
Method
Participants (
n
= 17) were caregivers of people with autism residing within the State of Michigan. Participants engaged with program members over video-conference technology, where participants received specific advice to support social and behavioral needs.
Results
We found that caregivers reported a variety of social and behavioral concerns, including concerns related to problem behavior, social/play skills, school/academics, and daily living.
Conclusions
This program description provides a framework for how to deliver on-demand telehealth support to caregivers of people with autism, especially during moments of crisis or emergency.
Supplementary Information
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41252-022-00281-7.
Objectives: The purpose of this paper is to describe a university program, Spartan Caregiver Support, that provided free on-demand telehealth services to caregivers of people with autism during the State of Michigan’s 2020 Stay-at-Home order.Method: Participants (n=17) were caregivers of people with autism residing within the State of Michigan. Participants engaged with program members over video-conference technology, where participants received specific advice to support social and behavioral needs.Results: We found that caregivers reported a variety of social and behavioral concerns, including concerns related to problem behavior, social/play skills, school/academics, and daily living.Conclusions: This program description provides a framework for how to deliver on-demand telehealth support to caregivers of people with autism, especially during moments of crisis or emergency.
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