Date of Award

Spring 1-15-2020

Thesis Type

Open Access

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science

Committee Member(s)

Kara Wunderlich

Stephanie Kincaid

Kathleen Babineau

Abstract

Inappropriate prosodic production is an often observed, but rarely treated, communication skill deficit for individuals with autism. Expanding on previous literature, we conducted a functional analysis on the voice volume responses (VVR) of two children with ASD utilizing similar procedures to those from Edgerton and Wine (2017). Further, we evaluated the efficacy of using visual feedback from an app and a function-based treatment to decrease inappropriate VVR and increase appropriate VVR. Results of the functional analysis indicated loud VVR was maintained by social negative reinforcement (escape from demands) for one participant and by both social negative and automatic reinforcement for another participant. Results of the intervention demonstrated a decrease in the use of loud VVRs, and an increase in the use of appropriate VVRs, for one participant. The implications of the results with respect to conducting functional analysis on VVR are discussed.

Rights Holder

Arturo Garcia

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