The influence of motivating operations on generalization probes of specific mands by children with autism.
We investigated the influence of motivating operations on the generalization of newly taught mands across settings and communication partners for 3 children with autism. Two conditions were implemented prior to generalization probes. In the first condition, participants were given access to a preferred item until they rejected the item (i.e., abolishing operation). In the second condition, the item was not available to participants prior to generalization probes (i.e., establishing operation). The effects of these conditions on the generalization of newly taught mands were evaluated in a multielement design. Results indicated differentiated responding during generalization probes in which more manding with the target mand was observed following the presession no-access condition than in the presession access condition. These results support the consideration of motivating operations when assessing generalization of target mands to various untrained contexts.
The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk, University of Texas at Austin, USA. tinafragale@gmail.com
Christina L
CL
Fragale
Mark F
MF
O'Reilly
Jeannie
J
Aguilar
Nigel
N
Pierce
Russell
R
Lang
Jeff
J
Sigafoos
Giulio
G
Lancioni
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D004495:Education of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005793:Generalization, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology*