A comparison of general and explicit delay cues to reinforcement for tangible-maintained challenging behaviour

Abstract

Objectives: This compares effects of explicit delay cue to reinforcement to general delay cue to reinforcement when attempting to decrease tangible-maintained challenging behaviours of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Methods: Two school-age children with ASD participated in this study. In order to evaluate the effects of a general cue versus an explicit cue on the participants’ tangibly maintained challenging behaviours, a multiple baseline design across settings with an embedded alternating treatments design was used.

Results: Results suggested that both types of delay cue to reinforcement demonstrated effectiveness on decreasing tangible-maintained behaviours of the participant. For both participants, an explicit delay cue demonstrated slightly better effects on the participants’ challenging behaviours then a general delay cue.

Conclusions: This study adds an evidence to support that delayed reinforcement can be used as an effective strategy to reduce both escape and tangible-maintained challenging behaviours of children with ASD across multiple settings.     

Comparing challenging behavior in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders according to the DSM-IV-TR and the proposed DSM-5

Objective: The aim of the current study is to investigate challenging behavior in children who may no longer meet criteria for an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis according to the proposed fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5).

Method: Children and adolescents (n?=?459) were separated into three groups including those who met criteria for ASD according to the DSM-5 criteria (n?=?219); those who will no longer qualify for an ASD diagnosis according to the DSM-5 but met criteria according to the DSM-IV-TR (n?=?109); and a control group (n?=?131). Scores on the Autism Spectrum Disorders – Problem Behaviors for Children (ASD-PB-C) were compared among groups.

Results: The DSM-5 captured a slightly more impaired population in terms of problem behavior.

Conclusion: Implications regarding access to treatment for those no longer meeting criteria need to be taken into consideration in the coming months.     

Prevalence and Correlates of Pica Among Adults with Intellectual Disability in Institutions

Increased knowledge of complex behaviors such as pica is needed to improve the support and services in the community for individuals with intellectual disability (ID). Though the prevalence of pica has been documented extensively in institutionalized settings, few studies have explored its etiology. The aim of this study is to explore the correlates of pica among institutionalized adults with ID. Secondary data analysis was performed on census-level data on 1,008 persons with ID residing in Ontario's remaining specialized institutions. All persons had been assessed using the interRAI Intellectual Disability (interRAI ID; Martin, Hirdes, Fries, & Smith, 2007 Martin, L., Hirdes, J. P., Fries, B. E and Smith, T. F. 2007. Development and psychometric properties of an assessment for persons with intellectual disability—The interRAI ID. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 4(1): 23–29.  [Google Scholar]) assessment instrument—a comprehensive and standardized instrument that supports service planning. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to explore the relation between pica and demographic, functional, and clinical characteristics. The overall prevalence of pica was 21.8%. Logistic regression analysis showed that being male, a diagnosis of autism, and use of nonverbal means of communication were associated with a higher likelihood of pica, whereas impairment in activities of daily living reduced that likelihood. A curvilinear relation was observed between cognitive functioning and pica. The prevalence of pica is quite high in Ontario's institutions, and nonverbal communication emerged as the strongest correlate of the behavior. The implications for education, training, and interventions are discussed.     

高校毕业生就业矛盾与解决策略

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在用医疗仪器设备现状及监管对策思路

该文通过获得的部分在用医疗仪器设备检测数据和相关信息,对在用医疗仪器设备现状进行了分析,从法规、标准、监管、生产制造和医疗机构等方面提出一些监管的构架和对策思路,以引起各方关注和共同探讨,为监管部门提供参考。     

医学高校城乡家庭经济困难学生心理健康状况调查

对比研究医学高校城乡家庭经济困难学生的心理健康状况.医学高校城乡家庭经济困难学生总体心理健康状况良好,且应对心理困扰的积极性高.相对而言,农村家庭经济困难学生心理状况及应对心理困扰的积极性低于城市学生.针对城乡学生特点,农村学生重点在于经济资助,并高度关注其心理状况,给予应对方式指导;城市学生关注其心理动态;加强学校作用.