Date of Award
8-1-2014
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Behavior Analysis and Therapy
First Advisor
Ringdahl, Joel
Abstract
The current studies evaluated variables affecting sharing exhibited by children with autism spectrum disorder. The first study evaluated the effects of manipulating item preference on the level of assistance needed to exhibit sharing behavior for four children with autism. Item preference affected two participants' percentage of independent sharing. Preference did not have as clear of an effect for another participant. However, sharing a more preferred item required more assistance (e.g., vocal prompts) to share. The fourth participant's percentage of independent sharing was not influenced by preference, and his independent sharing behavior was similar across item preference. The second study assessed the effectiveness of a token reinforcement procedure as an intervention for increasing independent sharing of high-preferred items for the two participants who did not independently share high-preferred items during study one. Independent sharing increased for both participants when the token procedure was in place and returned to baseline levels when it was removed.
Access
This thesis is only available for download to the SIUC community. Current SIUC affiliates may also access this paper off campus by searching Dissertations & Theses @ Southern Illinois University Carbondale from ProQuest. Others should contact the interlibrary loan department of your local library or contact ProQuest's Dissertation Express service.