The role of Precision Teaching (PT) in establishing intraverbal relations was explored in 2 ways. In the first study, the experimenters explored the role of PT in controlling for baseline levels of textual repertoires prior to transferring stimulus control from the text to the question. Experimenters assessed the impact of pretransfer fluency-based instruction on textual relations on the efficiency of transfer of stimulus control, maintenance, and generalization of intraverbal relations. Extending Emmick, Cihon, and Eshleman (2010), who also compared the effectiveness of 2 textual prompting procedures (with and without fluency-based instruction) on the acquisition of intraverbal relations, the current study incorporated time-delay (rather than stimulus fading) for transfer of stimulus control and used questions that shared similar stimulus features. Results indicate that textual prompts and transfer of stimulus control were effective in establishing intraverbal responses regardless of the inclusion of fluency-based instruction. In the second study, the experimenters explored component-composite relations between tacts and intraverbals. Specifically, the experimenters examined the effects of teaching thematically related tact responses to fluent levels on the emergence of thematically related intraverbal relations (e.g., what are some animals) using a multiple baseline across thematic clusters design. The results indicate that once a fluent level of responding for the target tact relations was achieved (evaluated through endurance and stability checks with later checks for retention), the participant was able to engage in the intraverbal relations without additional training. These data extend the research pertaining to developing intraverbal relations, fluency-based instruction and Precision Teaching, component-composite relations, and recombinative repertoires.

In some types of reinforcement schedules, a reinforcer is presented or given to the child and interacted with continuously while a target behavior is occurring. Previous researchers have used this type of reinforcement as an assessment tool and to study basic reinforcement processes. However, little research has explored how to effectively use these schedules to reinforce socially important responses in applied settings. The current study analyzed the implementation of synchronous reinforcement in a nonconcurrent multiple baseline across participants. Several interventionists implemented synchronous reinforcement with four children with autism across a variety of responses and reinforcers. The results indicated that delivering social, audio/visual, and tangible stimuli on a synchronous schedule resulted in increased durations of targeted (e.g., social skills and motor skills) and nontargeted (e.g., approach, social bids, and speed) measures across all children. Recommendations regarding reinforcer and response selection in implementing synchronous schedules in applied settings are provided.