title: Increasing Opportunities for Question-Asking in School-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Effectiveness of Staff Training in Pivotal Response Treatment.
abstract: Deficits in question-asking are common in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Furthermore, their opportunities to self-initiate questions are often hindered by directive behavior of their conversation partners. This study assessed the effectiveness of staff training in pivotal response treatment (PRT) on staff member-created opportunities and self-initiated questions of school-aged children with ASD. Generalization and maintenance were also assessed. Participants were 14 staff members and children with ASD attending an inpatient treatment facility. Data showed that PRT resulted in significant increases in both staff member-created opportunities and child-initiated questions. Generalization to group situations and collateral changes in children's language, pragmatic, and adaptive skills, and maladaptive behaviors did not occur. Implications for clinical practice and directions for future research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Montessorilaan 3, 6525 HR, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. r.verschuur@pwo.ru.nl.|Dr. Leo Kannerhuis, Department of Research, Development & Innovation, Houtsniplaan 1, 6568 ZH, Doorwerth, The Netherlands. r.verschuur@pwo.ru.nl.|Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. r.verschuur@pwo.ru.nl.
authors.forename: Rianne
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9704-9123
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verschuur
authors.affiliation: Dr. Leo Kannerhuis, Department of Research, Development & Innovation, Houtsniplaan 1, 6568 ZH, Doorwerth, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Bibi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Huskens
authors.affiliation: Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Montessorilaan 3, 6525 HR, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ludo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Verhoeven
authors.affiliation: Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Montessorilaan 3, 6525 HR, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Didden
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002663:Child Language; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012574:Schools; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Pivotal response treatment; Question-asking; Staff training