Parent Training on Generalized Use of Behavior Analytic Strategies for Decreasing the Problem Behavior of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Data-Based Case Study

Setting Variables such as location of parent training, programming with common stimuli, generalization of discrete responses to non-trained settings, and subsequent reduction in child problem behavior may influence the effectiveness of interventions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of home- versus clinic-based training to increase the use of discrete applied behavior analytic strategies by parents for decreasing the problem behavior of their children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) during meal-times. A partially non-concurrent multiple baseline design across dyads was used to document the effects of training procedures. Results of training diverse parent-child dyads to implement a function-based behavior intervention plan demonstrated that the intervention appeared to be clinically effective in increasing parents’ use of trained strategies, promoting generalization to the real meal-time routine and decreasing child problem behavior. The magnitude of effect was found to be large. Implications for bridging the research and practice gap are discussed.