Examination of Differential Valuation of Leisure Items and Attention as Reinforcers in Children With Autism

Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare how children with autism, typically developing children, and children with other developmental delays value social attention and toys. The first part of the study seeks to determine whether breakpoints when responding on progressive ratio (PR) schedules can be used to determine the value of leisure items and attention. By comparing the breakpoints obtained for leisure items and attention, the researchers will determine the differential valuation of leisure items and attention. It is anticipated that the manner in which individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis and those who do not will differ with respect to the degree to which they value these two types of stimuli. The second part of the study seeks to determine whether an intervention in which social attention is paired with primary reinforcers impacts responding during the PR assessment, in children with ASD.

Conditions

• Autism

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Training trials

A highly preferred edible item will be selected to teach the contingencies for the assessment. Materials to engage in the work response (i.e., button press) will be placed within arm's reach of the child, and the edible item will be in sight. The therapist will deliver a vocal prompt for the child to engage in the work response (e.g., "press the button and you can have some candy"). If the child engages in the response, the therapist immediately delivers the edible item. The therapist will guide the child to engage in the instrumental response, and will then gradually begin to fade the prompt level. If the child makes an error at any level of prompting, the therapist will guide the participant to emit a correct response. The edible item will be delivered to the child each time that the child responds correctly at any prompt level.

BEHAVIORAL

Progressive Ratio Session

The child will be guided to engage in the instrumental response then the stimulus will be immediately delivered for 30 seconds. The leisure item or the individual who will provide attention will be directly outside of the session room. If the child emits the work response, they will be allowed access to either a leisure item or to attention (depending on the condition) for 30 seconds. The child is initially required to respond one time, then they will be required to respond two times to gain access to the item or attention (then 4, then 8, and so on) such that the response requirement progressively increases according to a pre-determined schedule. A minimum of 3 sessions will be conducted for each condition. The amount of time required for participation depends on the child's responding, and caregiver availability. Participation may take as little as a couple hours, or as long as 3-4 hours per day for approximately one week.

BEHAVIORAL

Re-test

10 children with ASD will return to repeat the progressive ratio (PR) assessment one week after completing it the first time to examine the reliability of the measure.

BEHAVIORAL

Pairing Protocol

15 children with ASD will receive an intervention designed to increase social approach after completing the PR assessment. Participants will attend 2 hour appointments 3-5 days per week in which a therapist will deliver highly preferred items, play with the child, work on teaching communication skills, and teach the child to comply with demands. After completing the intervention (once the child is willingly staying near and interacting with the therapist and complying with instructions), the PR assessment will be repeated to measure change due to the intervention.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  collaborator NIH

• Emory University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Nathan A Call, PhD · Emory University

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

2 Years

Max Age

6 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2012-06-22

Primary Completion

2020-12-31

Completion

2020-12-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations