he purpose of the current study was to evaluate the use of behavior skills training via telehealth to teach job interview skills to emerging adults with ASD. Additionally, the study examined if following intervention, skills were able to generalize to new interviewers. 2 undergraduate and 1 graduate student with ASD participated in the study, and received intervention for 3 behaviors: (1) appropriately answering questions, (2) asking appropriate questions, and (3) engaging in appropriate body language. The current study used a multiple baseline design across behaviors. Results from the study indicated BST via telehealth was effective in teaching job interviews skills. Each participant remained at mastery during generalization and did not require a booster session. Social validity ratings completed by each participant indicated they found the intervention method to be fair, effective, and efficient for the identifed need. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.

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Corporal punishment is a common practice that has been employed in classrooms in Jamaica for many years. This practice, as it is used to manage classroom behavior, although viewed as valuable by some, presents extremely detrimental effects. This study outlines positive approaches to classroom management to provide Jamaican classrooms with alternatives to corporal punishment. This is done by investigating the effectiveness of two Applied Behavior Analysis techniques, the Good Behavior Game and Differential Reinforcement of Low Rate Response, on disruptive behavior in a third grade classroom in a rural school in Jamaica. Results from the implementation of both procedures display positive outcomes and reveal that positive approaches to classroom management are effective in improving disruptive behavior. These procedures demonstrate the effectiveness of promoting positive behavior and refrain from utilizing corporal punishment. Such strategies also motivate students, increase instructional time, are cost efficient, and can be easily implemented by teachers. / Urban Education

According to professionals breastfeeding is the preferred method of providing nutrition for newborns worldwide. Breastfeeding rates among low-income mothers are very low due to the lack of support and early introduction of formula. The present study examined the effects of providing these mothers with reinforcement to encourage breastfeeding. The mothers tracked their feedings using a simple breastfeeding mobile application in order to receive reinforcement. The mothers were also offered breastfeeding support if they were having any difficulties. Keywords: breastfeeding, reinforcement, mobile application, support / Special Education

Three interventions using public posting and review of client data in order to increase the effectiveness of staff implementation of functional communication training (FCT) within a school setting were compared. These interventions included: public review and posting of client data, public review and posting of client data paired with a coded shape for each staff member, and public review and posting of client data paired with a coded shape for each staff member with added reinforcement incentives. There were three student participants and three staff participants. For two student participants, FCT increased from baseline through intervention phases and staff were more likely to implement functional communication training during the final phase where reinforcement was added for the staff. Added reinforcement increased staff implementation of FCT paired with public review and posting of client data. For the third participant, results varied, but staff implemented the most during the public review and posting phases compared to baseline and reached a mean of 10 responses per session. There was also a negative correlation between functional communication responses (FCR) and challenging behaviors for two participants. This supports previous research and demonstrates the value of functional communication training as a behavior intervention tactic. / Applied Behavioral Analysis

Autism is a neurological disorder that affects 1 in 110 children in the United States. Children with autism show deficits in the areas of language development, social skills, and behavioral and sensory functioning. One subset area of deficit involves joint attention skills. Joint attention entails the social sharing of new or novel information in the environment between two people using a gaze shift, vocalization, and/or gesture. The current research examines a behavior-analytic model suggesting that tacting is a central underlying mechanism of joint attention. Data from twenty-two participants in applied behavior-analytic instructional settings were analyzed based on relationships between tacting skills and joint attention abilities. Participants were separated into three groups based on joint attention responding and initiation skills - Joint Attention Responders (JAR), Joint Attention Initiators (JAI), and Pre-Joint Attention Participants (PJA). The tacting model suggests that the JAI group would show the highest joint attention scores, followed by the JAR group and then the PJA group. Current data support this hypothesis and also suggest potential curricular sequencing involving the earlier introduction or tacting, social and imitation skills. Further research utilizing standardized training of tacting repertoires with a larger number of children is recommended. / Psychology

Commercial viewing was measured by a conjugate arrangement for 1 female and 3 male participants. Reinforcing qualities were evaluated according to screen variations and ratings. Subjects changed the screen clarity via knob pressing either making the screen more or less transparent, translucent or opaque based on commercial interest. Results were conducive to participant attentiveness or indifference to commercial viewing. Experimenter was able to identify the commercials that grasped and maintained the participants' viewing behavior. Conceptually this conjugate arrangement could enhance eye tracking technology to improve marketing and advertising strategies. This experiment yield results that suggest a more concrete analysis of consumer response to visual stimuli that maintains attending.

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the gold standard treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and caregivers can learn to use ABA strategies to teach skills to their children with ASD. However, some families may not be able to access synchronous training due to cost, time, or location. Asynchronous modalities, such as DVDs or internet modules, remove some of these barriers. Other asynchronous options like podcasts need additional efficacy research. We evaluated a brief podcast about positive reinforcement with three caregivers and their children with ASD. We measured correct implementation of positive reinforcement and percentage correct on a multiple-choice quiz. The caregiver's implementation of positive reinforcement was assessed with a confederate and their child before and after listening to the podcast. If the caregiver's performance did not reach the mastery criterion, we provided modeling and coaching. Two of the caregivers implemented positive reinforcement at mastery after listening to the podcast. One caregiver needed modeling and coaching. All three responded correctly to more questions on the quiz after the podcast. These preliminary data suggest that a podcast may teach ABA strategies like positive reinforcement to caregivers of children with ASD, which could reduce some barriers to accessing training.