Psychologists Training for Management in ASD Inappropriate Behavior

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social communication along with fixed and repetitive behaviors and interests. People with neuroatypical development may present behaviors that interfere with their development. The present study aimed to verify the effects of a theoretical and practical training for psychologists to manage interfering behaviors in children with ASD. A non-concurrent multiple baseline design across three participating psychologists who work with children within the autism spectrum was used. The experimental procedure consisted of baseline, intervention (teaching program), maintenance, and self-monitoring. The procedure examined whether the teaching program (independent variable), which included theoretical and practical exposure (featuring video modeling and role-plays with correction procedures, including immediate feedback), would influence participants’ performance in handling interfering behaviors in a role-play situation (dependent variable). The results indicated the acquisition of the repertoire in about 3 sessions after the intervention, using only a level 1 prompt (printed information). The demonstrated progress suggests the potential of this program model for training other professionals.