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Evidence-Based Treatment of Behavioral Excesses and Deficits for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Evidence-Based Practices and Treatments for Children with Autism

Abstract

The practice of evidence-based treatment of challenging behavior in autism has been heavily influenced by the application of principles and practices based on the experimental analysis of behavior, and particularly applied behavior analysis, to deficits or excesses in the behavioral repertoire of individuals with autism, Asperger Syndrome, and related pervasive developmental disorders. Indeed, for over 50 years, the learning principles established by Skinner (1938, 1953) and others have guided both the assessment and intervention process, evolving systematically as new findings are published and replicated.

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Abbreviations

ADHD:

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ASDs:

Autism spectrum disorders

DRA:

Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior

FCT:

Functional communication training

High-p:

High-probability request

Low-p:

Low-probability request

NCR:

Noncontingent reinforcement

SIB:

Self-injurious behavior

SSED:

Single subject experimental design

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Powers, M.D., Palmieri, M.J., D’Eramo, K.S., Powers, K.M. (2011). Evidence-Based Treatment of Behavioral Excesses and Deficits for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. In: Reichow, B., Doehring, P., Cicchetti, D., Volkmar, F. (eds) Evidence-Based Practices and Treatments for Children with Autism. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6975-0_4

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