Teaching Joint Attention: Assessing Generalization and Maintenance of Effects using Multiple Exemplar Training

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of multiple exemplar training and social reinforcement on the maintenance and generalization of joint attention initiations across toy classes. Three children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) participated. After analyzing samples of joint attention initiations from neurotypical peers, a composite score was developed and used to evaluate joint attention initiations of the children with ASD. Gaze shifting and commenting were taught using social reinforcement in a multiple exemplar format. Training sessions were followed by probes of untrained stimuli both within and across toy classes. Results showed that the participants acquired both gaze shifting and commenting using social consequences as reinforcers. Following training, participants initiated joint attention with a frequency within the range of their typically developing peers. Multiple exemplar training was also effective in facilitating acquisition within classes and joint attention maintenance during follow-up probes. Additionally, all participants generalized the acquired skills to a class of untrained stimuli.