Influencing leisure choices of autisticlike children.
A leisure education program was implemented with three autisticlike children. Based on an assessment phase, potential recreational activities were designated as high interest or low interest for each subject. During the leisure educational training phase, choices were provided between high- and low-interest activities under three alternating conditions. During the Prompt and Praise condition the instructor prompted the subject to engage in a low-interest activity for 2 minutes and then allowed a free choice for 2 minutes. During the Praise Anything condition the instructor allowed free choices every 2 minutes. During the Token condition the subject was provided a free choice every 2 minutes, but a token economy was established contingent on engaging in low-interest activities. The Prompt and Praise condition was superior to the other two conditions in encouraging participation in low-interest recreational activities.
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012056:Reinforcement, Social; D014040:Token Economy