Referent-Based Verbal Behavior Instruction for Children with Autism

Abstract

Skinner's (1957) analysis of verbal behavior deconstructed language according to stimulus control. Although the functional independence of these verbal operants has been empirically demonstrated, more commonly, a speaker's verbal behavior is induced by a convergence of controlling stimuli. However, circumscribed stimulus control may inhibit the development of complex verbal repertoires for some individuals, including those with autism spectrum disorders. For this reason, in the current paper, we propose a behavior analytic intervention with the overarching goal of establishing multiple control over verbal behavior through the conditioning of referent stimuli.

Token Reinforcement of Verbal Responses Controlled by Temporally Removed Verbal Stimuli

“…All three children possessed an advanced verbal repertoire, placing above level 3 in all domains of the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (Sundberg 2008). The participants demonstrated a balanced stimulus control ratio across four primary verbal operants (Mason and Andrews 2014), and could effectively respond to a battery of revolving wh-questions. Despite such verbal acuity, none of the participants engaged in sustained conversation (i.e., successive intraverbal exchanges), as they did nothing to catalyze social interactions (e.g., by manding for information from others).…”

Modeling Verbal Behavior Deficits with the Stimulus Control Ratio Equation, SCoRE

“…By measuring rates of responding against one another, the SCoRE predicts the relative control of converging variables in the natural environment. Its utility for assessing disproportionate stimulus control over the verbal behavior of children with autism has been well demonstrated 35 . Moreover, SCoRE has implications for idiographic progress monitoring to document the effects of verbal behavior training.…”

Moderate Effects of Low-Intensity Behavioral Intervention

“…The VB-MAPP has been used in studies to report participant characteristics or as a dependent variable (e.g., Kisamore, Karsten, & Mann, 2016; Mason & Andrews, 2014). The scores on the VB-MAPP have also been shown to correlate with other behavioral measures (Dixon et al, 2015).…”