Date of Defense

4-23-2017

Date of Graduation

4-2017

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Richard Malott

Second Advisor

Kelly Kohler

Keywords

autism, vocalizations, echoic stimulus control

Abstract

Deficits in verbal behavior can be harmful to children’s growth and development of other crucial skills and can also increase problem behavior (Eldevik, Eikeseth, Jahr, & Smith, 2006; Charman, Magiati, & Howlin, 2007; Cividini-Motta, 2014). Results from previous research show that vocal imitation training, stimulus-stimulus pairing, rapid motor imitation, and mand-model approaches have been successful in teaching echoic behavior. However, there is little evidence to show that these methods are successful for children who are making little to no verbal responses. (Carroll & Klatts, 2008; Bennett & Yoon, 2000; Greer & Ross, 2003; & Hawkins & Schuster, 2007). The purpose of this project is to increase vocalizations and establish echoic stimulus control in three young boys who have displayed deficits in the acquisition of verbal behavior. In the first two phases, a reinforcement contingency will be implemented on appropriate and variable vocalizations. In the last phase, a reinforcement contingency will be implemented on correct echoic responses. It is expected that the implementation of this procedure will increase the vocalizations and establish echoic stimulus control in each of the participants.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access

Additional Files
Logan Wurster Presentation.pdf (264 kB)
Defense Presentation
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