The effects of item preference and token reinforcement on sharing behavior exhibited by children with autism spectrum disorder

The current studies evaluated variables affecting sharing exhibited by children with autism spectrum disorder. Study 1 evaluated the effects of manipulating item preference on the level of assistance needed to exhibit sharing behavior for 4 children with autism. Item preference clearly affected 2 participants’ percentage of independent sharing. Preference did not have as clear of an effect for a third participant. However, sharing a high-preference item generally required a higher level of prompting (e.g., vocal prompts) to share. The fourth participant's percentage of independent sharing was not influenced by preference, and his independent sharing behavior was similar across item preference. Study 2 assessed the effectiveness of a token reinforcement procedure as an intervention designed to increase independent sharing of high-preference items for the two participants who did not independently share those items during Study 1. Independent sharing increased for both participants when the token procedure was in place and decreased when it was removed.