Date of Award

Summer 2018

Thesis Type

Open Access

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science

Department

Health Professions

Committee Member(s)

Sarah Slocum Freeman PhD, BCBA-D

Kristyn Dawn McKenney

Stephanie Kincaid PhD, BCBA-D

Supervising Faculty Member

Dr. Sarah Slocum

Abstract

Two to four subjects diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or related disabilities will undergo a functional analysis to ensure hand-clapping is maintained by automatic reinforcement. A secondary analysis (sensory analysis) will be conducted to assess different stimuli that are sensory-stimulating. Finally, a function-based noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) procedure using sensory stimuli will be applied to reduce the target behavior, and the schedule of reinforcement will be thinned. We expect a decrease in hand-clapping when the function-based treatment is implemented. This research will further elucidate how NCR can impact behavior maintained by automatic reinforcement.

Rights Holder

Nicolette Yatros

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