Date of Award
8-1-2019
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Rehabilitation
First Advisor
Dixon, Mark
Abstract
Many individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder present limitations in their demonstration of derived relational responding. Mindfulness is one mechanism to encourage interaction in the current context. Three adolescent females diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related disabilities participated in the study. In a multiple baseline with an embedded multi-element design, participants were exposed to stimuli paired with the engagement in a mindfulness activity prior to relational training, and stimuli paired with the engagement in a video game activity prior to relational training. Performance on a transformation of stimulus function tasks was tested following both conditions. All three participants demonstrated quicker acquisition of the skill as well as higher average scores following engagement in a mindfulness activity when compared to engagement in the video game activity. The results of the study support the utility of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder engaging in a mindfulness activity prior to a relational training task in order to decrease the time required to acquire a complex skill.
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.