Module 2 Handout
Module 2 Handout
Behavior Analysis
Outline
q Introduction to Applied Behavior
Analysis (ABA)
q Introduction to Autism
Introduction to
Applied Behavior
Analysis (ABA)
q Science of behavior
q Aims to improve lives by:
§ Teaching new behavior or
§ Increasing or decreasing existing
behavior
Focus of ABA
q Figure out why people do the things
that they do
q Look for the effect(s) of the
environment on behavior
q Improve lives by changing the
environment
Question
q Fill in the blank
q ABA is the science of behavior that
looks to improve peoples’ lives by
_______ new behavior or increasing
or decreasing existing behavior.
Question
q Multiple select
q Select ALL that are true of ABA practice.
q ABA practice aims to:
q Teach new behavior
q Understand mental illness
q Increase appropriate behavior
q Improve lives
q Control people
q Decrease inappropriate behavior
1. Applied
2. Behavioral
3. Analytic
4. Technological
5. Effective
6. Conceptually systematic
7. Generalization (has generality)
Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968
Applied
q ABA focuses on producing
meaningful change
§ Behavior that is “socially significant”
(important to the individual and society)
q Example:
§ Learning to drive
Behavioral
q Targets BEHAVIOR that is
observable and measurable
q ABA focuses on behavior as a target
for change
q Example:
§ Target nail-biting rather than “anxiety”
Technological
q NOT computer technology
q Procedures clearly and precisely
described
q Allows for replication (doing it the
same way again)
q Example: Assembly instructions
Effective
q Effects of behavioral interventions
have to be large enough to make a
difference in the person’s life
q Measure behavior (collect data)
q Revise if the plan is not effective
q Example: Decreasing toileting
accidents
Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968
Generality
q Behavior change:
§ Maintains across time
§ Transfers to other settings and
situations
§ Spreads to other behaviors
q Example: Child greeting others
Question
q Applied q Observable behavior as
the target for change
q Technological q Clearly described
procedures
q Systematic
q Generality
manipulations
q Results in significant,
q Behavioral differential change
q Behavior change
q Analytic extended to new settings
q Meaningful to the
q Effective person/society
q Procedures are tied to
principles of behavior
q Conceptually systematic
Question
q Multiple select
q Select ALL the areas where clinical behavior
analysis might be used:
q Mainstream second grade classroom
q Clinic for individuals recovering from brain
injuries
q Center where adults with disabilities work
q High-end car dealership
q Autism treatment and research center
q Homes where adults with disabilities live
Introduction to
Autism
Diversity
q Here is a brief overview of autism
and what to expect when working
with this population
q Everyone is an individual and has
different likes and dislikes, different
strengths and abilities, and different
areas in which help is needed
Diversity (continued)
q Your role will be to help implement
plans and programs to help your
clients
q The job is rewarding but it’s not
always easy! This can be hard work!
History of Autism
q Once thought to be a form of
schizophrenia
q Differs from schizophrenia in terms of
symptoms, age of onset, family
history, etiology, and response to
treatment
Bruno Bettelheim
Question
q Autism was once thought to be a
form of schizophrenia.
a. True
b. False
Objective
q Prevalence of Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD)
a. State prevalence in the population
b. State prevalence of ASD in gender
c. State age of diagnosis
d. List possible reasons for the
increase in prevalence
About 1 in 6 has a
Developmental Disability
Increase in Diagnoses
q The Journal of the American Medical
Association Pediatrics
q Suggests the primary cause of the
increase of ASD is due to changes in
how the disease is diagnosed
Coury, 2016
Question
q As of 2014, 1 in ___ children have
ASD.
a. 10
b. 68
c. 120
d. 300
Question
q Boys are 5 times more likely than
girls to have a diagnosis of ASD.
a. True
b. False
Objective
q Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
a. List diagnostic criteria
b. List behaviors of concern related
to ASD
Behaviors of Concern
q Lack of behavior or regression in
skills:
§ Lack of language development
§ Regression of language
§ Lack of pretend play
§ Lack of pointing
Question
q Autism is a ___ that is defined by its
symptoms.
a. Psychological disorder
b. Mental disorder
c. Developmental disability
d. Cognitive impairment
Autism: Communication
q Persons with autism may possess the
following characteristics in various
combinations and in varying degrees of
severity:
§ Difficulty expressing needs (use of gestures,
hand leading, or pointing instead of words)
§ Echolalia (repeating words or phrases in
place of normal, responsive language)
§ Difficulty with reciprocal conversation
Autism: Communication
(continued)
q Many children with autism can
develop functional language and
others can develop some type of
communication skills, such as sign
language or use of pictures
Autism: Repetitive/Restricted
Behavior
q Persons with autism may possess
the following characteristics in
various combinations and in varying
degrees of severity:
§ Stereotypic behavior vs. “self-
stimulation”
§ Obsessive compulsive behaviors (e.g.,
lining up objects)
Individuality Disclaimer
q “Children with autism can learn to
function productively, show gains
with appropriate education and
treatment” and learn to hold jobs, live
on their own, marry, and have
children. As individuals, “people with
autism have unique personalities and
combinations of characteristics.”
Autism Society of America
Question
q What does the “Spectrum” in ASD
mean?
a. High vs. low functioning individuals
as defined by a variety of measures
such as behavioral deficits and
excesses, educational placement,
etc.
b. The level of support required
c. Both of the above
Vaccination Accusations
q Concern about MMR vaccine (as well
as others)
§ Methylmercury is a toxic substance
linked to cancer (thimerosal contains
ethylmercury)
§ Many parental reports: “My child was
diagnosed soon after being vaccinated”
Vaccination Accusations
(continued)
qAndrew Wakefield:
§ Published parent reports, tentative link,
before research
§ Paid $100,000 by lawyers/parents,
suing manufacturers
Vaccination Rebuttal
q Centers for Disease Control,
American Academy of Pediatrics,
National Academy of Science
Institute of Medicine, World Health
Organization, and UK’s Medical
Research Council all state that there
is no evidence that the MMR
vaccination and autism are related
Question
q Based on the research, vaccines are
a possible cause and/or contributing
factor in causing autism.
a. True
b. False
c. Undetermined, more research is
needed
Genetics Research
q Weiss et al. (2008)
§ Association between Microdeletion and
Microduplication
§ Missing or extra pieces of DNA
§ Found deletion and duplication in 1% of
population; studied an estimated
15,000 cases of autism
§ May not sound significant, but will help
point researchers in the right direction
Infections
q Suggested causes BUT not known yet…
§ Exposure to viruses in utero or first years
of life
§ Linked to some underlying medical
condition
• Metabolic disorders, congenital infections,
genetic disorders, developmental brain
abnormalities, neurological disorders acquired
after birth
Physical Abnormalities
q Limbic System: Amygdala and
Hippocampus
§ Part of brain that has to do with
emotions, aggression, and sensory
input, either overdeveloped or
underdeveloped
q Cerebellum
§ Two areas of the cerebellum, either
overdeveloped or underdeveloped
q Serotonin levels
q Beta-endorphin levels
§ Hyper or hypo-sensitive to pain
Sensory Impairments
q Many people with autism have
sensory impairments (of one or more
senses)
§ Hypo-sensitive
• Lack of sensory feeling (no pain)
§ Hyper-sensitive
§ Excessive sensory feeling (loud noises,
tactile defensive)
§ Symptoms or causes?
Question
q Multiple select
q Select all that are TRUE:
q Vaccinations are probably
contributing factors to autism
q Genetics are probably involved in
the development of autism
q There is no known cause of autism
Summary (continued)
q What is autism and what causes it?
§ We don’t know
§ Possible interaction between organic and
environmental variables
§ Assumed biological disorder, most likely of
genetic origin characterized by qualitative
differences in:
1. Social communication
2. Repetitive and stereotyped behaviors
Question
q Short answer
q A parent asks you, “What causes
autism?”
q What will you say?
q Type your response to this simple,
but emotionally charged question.
Question
q Why would parents use ineffective treatments?
a. They don’t know what questions to ask or
who to ask
b. They trust so-called “experts” and
professionals
c. Parents are left on their own to find
treatment, with lots of confusing and
conflicting information
d. All of the above
e. Only B and C
Logemann, 2000
Question
q Procedures that have been studied with
strong experimental designs and results,
and have been replicated, peer-reviewed,
and published are:
a. Research
b. Evidence-based treatments
c. Unestablished treatments
d. Science
ABA (continued)
q Procedures have been supported
through reliable and objective
research
§ Research shows that ABA methods are
effective at increasing behavior,
teaching new skills, and reducing
inappropriate behavior
An Umbrella of ABA
q Many interventions use the principles of
ABA, such as:
§ Verbal Behavior training
§ Discrete Trial Training
§ Functional assessment
§ Pivotal Response Training
§ Modeling
§ Chaining
§ Shaping
q Incorporates behavior-analytic
principles in applied settings (school,
home, community)
q Focus on positive reinforcement for
appropriate target behaviors
Question
q Fill in the blanks
q Research shows ABA methods are
effective at ________ socially
significant behavior and teaching
new skills.
q Research also shows ABA methods
are effective at _______
inappropriate behavior.
Objective
q Explain the importance of Early
Intervention for children with Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Early Intervention
References
q American Psychiatric Association. (2013).
Diagnostic and statistical manual of
mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington,
DC: Author.
q Association for Science in Autism
Treatment: http://asatonline.org/
q Asperger, H. (1944/1991). Die
“autistischen psychopathen” im
kindesalter. Archive fur Psychiatrie und
Nervenkrankheiten, 117, 76–136.
References (continued)
References (continued)
q Bettelheim, B. (1967). Empty fortress.
Simon and Schuster.
q Bijou, S. W., & Baer, D. M. (1965). Child
Development: universal stage of infancy
(Vol. 2). Appleton-Century-Crofts.
References (continued)
q Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC). (2014). Prevalence of autism spectrum
disorders among children aged 8 years– Autism
and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring
Network, 11 sites, United States, 2010. MMWR
Surveillance Summaries, 63(2), 1-21.
q Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC). (2012). Key findings: Trends in the
prevalence of developmental disabilities in U.S.
children, 1997-2008. Atlanta: Department of
Health and Human Services.
References (continued)
q Fusar-Poli, P., & Politi, P. (2008). Paul
Eugen Bleuler and the birth of
schizophrenia (1908). American Journal
of Psychiatry, 165(11), 1407-1407.
q Goldstein, H. (2002). Communication
intervention for children with autism: A
review of treatment efficacy. Journal of
Autism and Developmental Disorders, 32,
373-396.
References (continued)
q Green, G. (1996). Early behavioral intervention
for autism: What does research tell us. In C.
Maurice, G. Green, & S. Luce (Eds.), Behavioral
interventions for young children with autism. (pp.
29-44). Austin, Tx: ProEd.
q Howard, J. S., Stanislaw, H., Green, G.,
Sparkman, C. R., & Cohen, H. G. (2014).
Comparison of behavior analytic and eclectic
early interventions for young children with autism
after three years. Research in developmental
disabilities, 35(12), 3326-3344.
References (continued)
q Integrity. (n.d.). Dictionary.com
unabridged. Retrieved May 10, 2017 from
Dictionary.com: http://www.dictionary.com/
browse/integrity
q Järbrink, K. (2007). The economic
consequences of autistic spectrum
disorder among children in a Swedish
municipality. Autism, 11(5), 453-463.
References (continued)
q Kanner, L. (1943). Autistic disturbances
of affective contact. Nervous Child, 2,
217-250.
q Kaye, J. A., del Mar Melero-Montes, M.,
& Jick, H. (2001). Mumps, measles, and
rubella vaccine and the incidence of
autism recorded by general
practitioners: a time trend analysis.
British Medical Journal, 322(7284), 460-
463.
References (continued)
q Lovaas, O. I. (1987). Behavioral treatment
and normal educational and intellectual
functioning in young autistic
children. Journal of consulting and clinical
psychology, 55(1), 3.
q Madsen, K. M., Hviid, A., Vestergaard, M.,
Schendel, D., Wohlfahrt, J., Thorsen, P., &
Melbye, M. (2002). A population-based
study of measles, mumps, and rubella
vaccination and autism. New England
Journal of Medicine, 347(19), 1477-1482.
References (continued)
q Morris, E. K. (2009). A case study in the
misrepresentation of applied behavior analysis
in autism: The Gernsbacher lectures. The
Behavior Analyst, 32, 205-240.
q McGreevy, P. (Producer). (2008, July). Guided
Notes for Teaching Language and Appropriate
Behavior to Children and Adults with
Developmental Disabilities Including Autism: An
Expanded Introduction to ABA-Verbal Behavior.
[Workshop VBW1E, Version 08.3].
References (continued)
q National Autism Center. (2009). National
Standards Report. Randolph, MA:
National Autism Center.
q National Autism Conference 2014 Video
Archives. Dr. Vince Carbone, Dr. Brian
Iwata, Dr. Mark Sundberg)
http://wpsu.org/live/archive
References (continued)
q National Professional Development Center
on Autism Spectrum Disorders: briefs for all
24 identified evidence-based practices and
downloadable PDF files:
http://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/content/briefs
q Odom, S. L., Brown, W. H., Frey, T.,
Karasu, N., Smith-Canter, L. L., & Strain, P.
S. (2003). Evidence-based practices for
young children with autism: Contributions
from single-subject design research. Focus
on Autism and Other Developmental
Disabilities, 18, 166-175.
References (continued)
q Stephen Scherer, PhD, director, The Center for
Applied Genomics, The Hospital for Sick
Children, Toronto, Canada. Charis Eng, MD,
PhD, Chair, Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner
Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
Chris Gunter, PhD, associate director of
research, Marcus Autism Center, Atlanta.
Scherer, S. Nature Medicine, Jan. 26, 2015.
References (continued)
q Smith, N. J., Dales, L., & Hammer, S. J.
(2001). Time trends in autism and in MMR
immunization coverage in California. The
Journal of the American Medical
Association, 285(9), 1183-1185.
q Smith, T. (1999). Outcome of early
intervention for children with autism.
Clinical Psychology: Science and
Practice, 6, 33-49.
References (continued)
q United States Surgeon General (1998).
Mental health: A report of the Surgeon
General. Washington, DC: Author.
q Wakefield, Andrew J., et al.
"RETRACTED: Ileal-lymphoid-nodular
hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and
pervasive developmental disorder in
children." (1998): 637-641.
References (continued)
q Weiss, L. A., Shen, Y., Korn, J. M., Arking,
D. E., Miller, D. T., Fossdal, R., & Daly, M.
J. (2008). Association between
microdeletion and microduplication at
16p11. 2 and autism. New England
Journal of Medicine, 358(7), 667-675