Increasing social initiations in children with autism: effects of a tactile prompt.
An ABAB design was used to assess the effects of a tactile prompting device (i.e., a vibrating pager) as a prompt for the social initiations of 3 children with autism during free-play activities with typically developing peers. Results indicated that the tactile prompt was effective in increasing verbal initiations for all 3 children, and responses to peers' initiations were higher for 2 participants when the tactile prompt was used. Efforts to reduce the frequency of prompts while still maintaining rates of initiations were partially successful for 1 participant.
Shabani
Daniel B
DB
Department of Psychology, University of the Pacific. danny.shabani@wmich.edu
Katz
Roger C
RC
Wilder
David A
DA
Beauchamp
Kenneth
K
Taylor
Crystal R
CR
Fischer
Kirsten J
KJ
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D014110:Touch; D014732:Vibration