Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Stimulus Salience in Autism: A Social Learning Disorder

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Autism Service Delivery

Part of the book series: Autism and Child Psychopathology Series ((ACPS))

Abstract

This chapter discusses autism from a somewhat atypical perspective. It is argued that autism is, in part, a social learning phenomenon, in that aberrant stimulus control steers learning in a direction that produces patterns of social behavior that are atypical. Given these differences in stimulus control, clinicians teaching and/or treating persons with autism will benefit from an understanding of these differences as they have clinical implications. Some of these implications are examined in the second part of the chapter. From a behavior analytic perspective, all behaviors are seen as a product of phylogenic, ontogenic, and sociocultural contingencies. Some stimuli, serving as either antecedents to or consequences of behavior, have biological significance.

This chapter includes work presented in a paper delivered at the annual meeting of Association for Behavior Analysis International in Denver, CO, in May 2011. The corresponding author is William H. Ahearn, Director of Research; The New England Center for Children, 33 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772. E- mail: bahearn@necc.org.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ahearn, W.H., Clark, K.M., DeBar, R., & Florentino, C. (2005). On the role of preference in response competition. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 38, 247–250.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ahearn, W. H., Clark, K, MacDonald, R., & Chung, B. I. (2007). Vocal stereotypy: Assessing and treating acontextual vocalizations in children with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40, 263–275.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ahrens, E. N., Lerman, D. C., Kodak, T., Worsdell, A. S., & Keegan, C. (2011). Further evaluation of response interruption and redirection as treatment for stereotypy. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44, 95–108. doi:10.1901/jaba.2011.44–95.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, text revisited (DSM-IV-TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baer, D. M. (1970). An age-irrelevant concept of development. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly: Journal of Developmental Psychology, 16(3), 238–245. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=1971-30522-001&site=ehost-live.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bakeman, R., & Adamson, L. B. (1984). Coordinating attention to people and objects in mother–infant and peer–infant interaction. Child Development, 54, 1278–1289. doi:10.2307/1129997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barbaro, J., & Dissanayake, C. (2009). Autism spectrum disorders in infancy and toddlerhood: A review of the evidence on early signs, early identification tools, and early diagnosis. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 30, 47–459. doi:10.1097/DBP.0b013e3181ba0f9f.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baron-Cohen, S. (1989). Joint-attention deficits in autism: Towards a cognitive analysis. Development and Psychopathology, 1(3), 185–189. doi:10.1017/S0954579400000377.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baron-Cohen, S. (1994). The mindreading system: New directions for research. Cahiers De Psychologie Cognitive/Current Psychology of Cognition, 13(5), 724–750. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=1995-24572-001&site=ehost-live.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baron-Cohen, S. (1995). Mindblindness: An essay on autism and theory of mind. Cambridge: The MIT Press. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=1995-98053-000&site=ehost-live.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baron-Cohen, S. (2001). Theory of mind in normal development and autism. Prisme, 34, 174–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baron-Cohen, S., & Goodhart, F. (1994). The ‘seeing-leads-to-knowing’ deficit in autism: The Pratt and Bryant probe. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 12, 397–401. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=1995-17528-001&site=ehost-live

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baron-Cohen, S., & Ring, H. (1994). A model of the mindreading system: Neuropsychological and neurobiological perspectives. In P. Mitchell (Ed.), Children’s early understanding of mind: Origins and development (pp. 183–207). Hillsdale: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=1994-98178-008&site=ehost-live.

  • Baron-Cohen, S., Allen, J., & Gillberg, C. (1992). Can autism be detected at 18 months? the needle, the haystack, and the CHAT. British Journal of Psychiatry, 161, 839–843. doi:10.1192/bjp.161.6.839.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baron-Cohen, S., Ring, H., Moriarty, J., & Schmitz, B. (1994). Recognition of mental state terms: Clinical findings in children with autism and a functional neuroimaging study of normal adults. British Journal of Psychiatry, 165(5), 640–649. doi:10.1192/bjp.165.5.640.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barton, E.J., & Osborne, J.G. (1978). The development of classroom sharing by a teacher using positive practice. Behavior Modification, 2, 231–250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bellini, S., Peters, J., Benner, L., & Hopf, A. (2007). A meta-analysis of school-based social skills interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders. Remedial and Special Education, 28(3), 153–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berler, E. S., Gross, A. M., & Drabman, R. S. (1982). Social skills training with children: Proceed with caution. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1, 41–53. doi:10.1901/jaba.1982.15–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bodfish, J. W., Symons, F. J., Parker, D. E., & Lewis, M. H. (2000). Varieties of repetitive behavior in autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 30, 237–243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bono, M. A., Daley, T., & Sigman, M. (2004). Relations among joint attention, amount of intervention and language gain in autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34(5), 495–505. doi:10.1007/s10803-004-2545-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boucher, J., & Lewis, V. (1992). Unfamiliar face recognition in relatively able autistic children. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 33, 843–859.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, B. A., Odom, S. L., Humphreys, B. P., & Sam, A. M. (2010). Infants and toddlers with autism spectrum disorder: Early identification and early intervention. Journal of Early Intervention, 32(2), 75–98. doi:10.1177/1053815110362690.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bryson, S. E., Zwaigenbaum, L., McDermott, C., Rombough, V., & Brian, J. (2008). The autism observation scale for infants: Scale development and reliability data. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(4), 731–738. doi:10.1007/s10803-007-0440-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carey, R.G., & Bucher, B.D. (1981). Identifying the educative and suppressive effects of positive and restitutional overcorrection. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 14, 71–80.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carper, R. A., Moses, P., Tigue, Z. D., Courchesne, E. (2002). Cerebral lobes in autism: Early hyperplasia and abnormal age effects. Neuroimage, 16(4), 1038–1051.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Catania, A.C. (2013). Learning (5th edn). Cornwall-on-Hudson: Sloan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years—autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 11 sites, United States, 2010. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 63(SS02), 1–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charman, T., & Baird, G. (2002). Practitioner review: Assessment and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders in the pre-school years. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 43, 289–305.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Charman, T., Baron-Cohen, S., Swettenham, J., Baird, G., Cox, A., & Drew, A. (2000). Testing joint attention, imitation, and play as infancy precursors to language and theory of mind. Cognitive Development, 15, 481–498. doi:10.1016/S0885-2014(01)00037–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chawarska, K., Volkmar, F., & Klin, A. (2010). Limited attentional bias for faces in toddlers with autism spectrum disorders. Archives of General Psychiatry, 67(2), 178–185. doi:10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2009.194.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clifford, S. M., & Dissanayake, C. (2008). The early development of joint attention in infants with autistic disorder using home video observations and parental interview. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(5), 791–805. doi:10.1007/s10803-007-0444-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clifford, S., & Dissanayake, C. (2009). Dyadic and triadic behaviours in infancy as precursors to later social responsiveness in young children with autistic disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39(10), 1369–1380. doi:10.1007/s10803-009-0748-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Colón, C. L., Ahearn, W. H., Clark, K. M., & Masalsky, J. (2012). The effects of verbal operant training and response interruption and redirection on appropriate and inappropriate vocalizations. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 45(1), 107–120.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Corkum, V., & Moore, C. (1995). Development of joint visual attention in infants. In C. Moore, & P. J. Dunham (Eds.), Joint attention: Its origins and role in development. (pp. 61–83). Hillsdale: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. http://0-search.ebscohost.com.wildpac.wne.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=1995-97586-003&site=ehost-live.

  • Corkum, V., & Moore, C. (1998). Origins of joint visual attention in infants. Developmental Psychology, 34(1), 28–38. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.34.1.28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Courchesne, E., Karns, C. M., Davis, H. R., Ziccardi, R., Carper, R. A., Tigue, Z. D., et al. (2001). Unusual brain growth patterns in early life in patients with autistic disorder: An MRI study. Neurology, 57(2), 245–254. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2001-01752-007&site=ehost-live.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Courchesne, E., Campbell, K., & Solso, S. (2011). Brain growth across the life span in autism: Age-specific changes in anatomical pathology. Brain Research, 1380, 138–145. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2010.09.101.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Croen, L.A., Grether, J.K., Yoshida, C.K., Odouli, R., Van de Water, J. (2005). Maternal autoimmune diseases, asthma and allergies, and childhood autism spectrum disorders: A case-control study. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 159, 151–157. doi:10.1001/archpedi.159.2.151.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham A.B, & Schreibman L. (2008). Stereotypy in autism: The importance of function. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2, 469–479.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson, G., Hill, D., Spencer, A., & Galpert, L. (1990). Affective exchanges between young autistic children and their mothers. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology: An Official Publication of the International Society for Research in Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, 18(3), 335–345. doi:10.1007/BF00916569.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson, G., Munson, J., Estes, A., Osterling, J., McPartland, J., Toth, K., et al. (2002). Neurocognitive function and joint attention ability in young children with autism spectrum disorder versus developmental delay. Child Development, 73(2), 345–358. doi:10.1111/1467-8624.00411.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DeQuinzio, J.A., Townsend, D.B., Sturmey, P., & Poulson, C.L. (2007). Generalized imitation of facial models by children with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40, 755–759.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dube, W. V., & McIlvane, W. J. (1999). Reduction of stimulus overselectivity with nonverbal differential observing responses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 32, 25–33. doi:10.1901/jaba.1999.32-25.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dube W.V., MacDonald, R.P.F., Mansfield, R.C., Holcomb, W.L., & Ahearn, W.H. (2004). Toward a behavioral analysis of joint attention. The Behavior Analyst, 27, 197–207.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duffy-Cassella, M., Sidener, T. M., Sidener, D. W., & Progar, P. R. (2011). Response interruption and redirection for vocal stereotypy in children with autism: A systematic replication. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44, 169–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunlap, G., Dyer, K., & Kogel, R. L. (1983). Autistic self-stimulation and intertrial interval duration. American Journal of Mental Retardation, 88, 194–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durand, V. M., & Carr, E. G. (1987). Social influences on “self-stimulatory” behavior: Analysis and treatment application. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 20, 119–132.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Durkin, M.S., Maenner, M.J., Newschaffer, C.J., Lee, L.C., Cunniff, C.M., Daniels, J.L., Kirby, R.S., Leavitt, L., Miller, L., Zahorodny, W., & Schieve, L.A. (2008). Advanced parental age and the risk of autism spectrum disorder. American Journal of Epidemiology, 168, 1268–1276.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eigsti I-M, & Shapiro T. (2003). A systems neuroscience approach to autism: Biological, cognitive and clinical perspectives. Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, 9, 206 –216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eldevik, S., Hastings, R. P., Hughes, J. C., Jahr, E., Eikeseth, S., & Cross, S. (2009). Meta-analysis of early intensive behavioral intervention for children with autism. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 38, 439–450.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Esseily, R., Nadel, J., & Fagard, J. (2010). Object retrieval through observational learning in 8- to 18-month old infants. Infant Behavior and Development, 33, 695–699.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Favell, J.E., McGimsey, J.F., & Shell, R.M. (1982). Treatment of self-injury by providing alternate sensory activities. Analysis and Intervention in Developmental Disabilities, 2, 83–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fein, D., Stevens, M., Dunn, M., Waterhouse, L., Allen, D., Rapin, I., et al. (1999). Subtypes of pervasive developmental disorder: Clinical characteristics. Child Neuropsychology, 5, 1–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, J., & Narayanan, S. (2004). Embodied meaning in a neural theory of language. Brain & Language, 89, 385–392.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fellner, D. J., La Roche, M, & Sulzer-Azaroff, B. (1984). The effects of adding interruption to differential reinforcement on targeted and novel self-stimulatory behaviors. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 4, 315–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Filipek, P. A., Accardo, P. J., Ashwal, S., Baranek, G. T., Cook Jr., E. H., Dawson, G., et al. (2000). Practice parameter: Screening and diagnosis of autism: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Child. Neurology Society. Neurology, 55, 468–479.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Folstein S.E., & Rosen-Sheidley B. (2001). Genetics of autism: complex aetiology for a heterogeneous disorder. Nature Reviews: Genetics, 2, 943–955.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Foxx, R.M. (1977). Attention training: The use of overcorrection avoidance to increase the eye contact of autistic and retarded children. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 10, 489–499.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia, E. E. (1976). The development and generalization of delayed imitation. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 9, 499.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Goh, H., Iwata, B. A., Shore, B. A., DeLeon, I. G., Lerman, D. C., Ulrich, S. M., et al. (1995). An analysis of the reinforcing properties of hand mouthing. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 28, 269–283.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gregory, M. K., DeLeon, I. G., & Richman, D. M. (2009). The influence of matching and motor-imitation abilities on rapid acquisition of manual signs and exchange-based communicative responses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42, 399–404

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Griffith, E., Pennington, B., Wehner, E., & Rogers, S. (1999). Executive functions in young children with autism. Child Development, 70, 817–832.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hagopian L.P., & Adelinis, J. D. (2001). Response blocking with and without redirection for the treatment of PICA. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 34, 527–530.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Haith, M. M., Bergman, T., & Moore, M. J. (1977). Eye contact and face scanning in early infancy. Science, 198, 853–855. doi:10.1126/science.918670.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harding, J. W., Wacker, D. P., Berg, W. K., Cooper, L. J., Asmus, J., Mlela, K., et al. (1999). An analysis of choice making in the assessment of young children with severe behavior problems. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 32(1), 63–82. doi:10.1901/jaba.1999.32-63.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Helt, M., Kelley, E., Kinsbourne, M., Pandey, J., Boorstein, H., Herbert, M., et al. (2008). Can children with autism recover? If so, how? Neuropsychology Review, 18, 339–366.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hertz-Picciotto, I., & Delwiche, L. (2009). The rise in autism and the role of age at diagnosis. Epidemiology, 20, 84–90. doi: 10.1097/EDE.0b013e3181902d15.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hobson, R. P. (1986). The autistic child’s appraisal of expressions of emotion. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 27(3), 321–342. doi:10.1111/j.1469–7610.1986.tb01836.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hobson, J. A., & Hobson, R. P. (2007). Identification: The missing link between joint attention and imitation? Development and Psychopathology, 19(2), 411–431. doi:10.1017/S0954579407070204.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hobson, R. P., García-Pérez, R. M., & Lee, A. (2010). Person-centred (deictic) expressions and autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40(4), 403–415. doi:10.1007/s10803-009-0882-5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, H. S. (1996). Amorous Turkeys and Addicted Ducklings-The Science of Social Bonding and Imprinting. Boston: Authors Cooperative Inc. Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, H. S., & Ratner, A. M. (1973). A reinforcement model of imprinting: Implications for socialization in monkeys and men. Psychological Review, 80, 527–544. doi:10.1037/h0035533.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holth, P. (2005) An operant analysis of joint attention. Journal of Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention, 2(3), 160–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hultman, C. M., Sparen, P., & Cnattingius, S. (2002). Perinatal risk factors for infantile autism. Epidemiology, 13, 417–423.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, E. A., & Carr, E. G. (2004). Joint attention in children with autism: Theory and intervention. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 19, 13–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, R. S. P., Wint, D., & Ellis, N. C. (1990). The social effects of stereotyped behaviour. Journal of Mental Deficiency Research, 34, 261–268.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, W., Carr, K., & Klin, A. (2008). Absence of preferential looking to the eyes of approaching adults predicts level of social disability in 2-year-old toddlers with autism spectrum disorder. Archives of General Psychiatry, 65(8), 946–954. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.65.8.946.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kanner, L. (1943). Autistic disturbances of affective content. Nervous Child, 2, 217–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kasari, C., Sigman, M., Mundy, P., & Yirmiya, N. (1990). Affective sharing in the context of joint attention interactions of normal, autistic, and mentally retarded children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 20, 87–100. doi:10.1007/BF02206859.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, C. H., Meyer, K. A., Knowles, T., & Shukla, S. (2000). Analyzing the multiple functions of stereotypical behavior for students with autism: Implications for assessment and treatment. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 33, 559–571.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kern, L., Wacker, D. P., Mace, F. C., Falk, G. D., Dunlap, G., & Kromrey, J. D. (1995). Improving the peer interactions of students with emotional and behavioral disorders through self-evaluation procedures: A component analysis and group application. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 28, 47–59.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klauck, S.M. (2006). Genetics of autism spectrum disorder. European Journal of Human Genetics, 14, 714–720.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klin, A., & Jones, W. (2008). Altered face scanning and impaired recognition of biological motion in a 15-month-old infant with autism. Developmental Science, 11, 40–46. doi:10.1111/j.1467–7687.2008.00752.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klin, A., Sparrow, S. S., de Bildt, A., Cicchetii, D. V., Cohen, D. J., & Volkmar, F. R. (1999). A normed study of face recognition in autism and related disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 6, 499–508.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klin, A., Jones, W., Schultz, R., Volkmar, F., & Cohen, D. (2002). Defining and quantifying the social phenotype in autism. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 159(6), 909–916. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.159.6.895.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klin, A., Chawarska, K., Paul, R., Rubin, E., Morgan, T., Wiesner, L., et al. (2004). Autism in a 15-month-old child. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 161, 1981–1988. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.161.11.1981.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kogan, M. D., Blumberg, S. J., Schieve, L. A., Boyle, C. A., Perrin, J. M., Ghandour, R. M., Singh, G. K., Strickland, B. B., Trevathan, E., & van Dyck, P. C. (2009). Prevalence of parent-reported diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder among children in the US, 2007. Pediatrics, 124, 1395–1403. doi:10.1542/peds.2009-1522.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krantz, P. J., & McClannahan, L. E. (1998). Social interaction skills for children with autism: A script-fading procedure for beginning readers. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 31, 191–202.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Landa, R., & Garrett-Mayer, E. (2006). Development in infants with autism spectrum disorders: A prospective study. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 47, 629–638.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Langdell, T. (1978). Recognition of faces: An approach to the study of autism. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 19, 255–268.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • LeBlanc, L. A., Coates, A. M., Daneshvar, S., Charlop-Christy, M., Morris, C., & Lancaster, B. M. (2003). Using video modeling and reinforcement to teach perspective-taking skills to children with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 36(2), 253–257. doi:10.1901/jaba.2003.36-253.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lerman, D. C., & Iwata, B. A. (1996). A methodology for distinguishing between extinction and punishment effects associated with response blocking. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 29, 231–233.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leslie, A. M. (1987). Pretense and representation: The origins of ’theory of mind.’. Psychological Review, 94(4), 412–426. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.94.4.412.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, M. H., & Bodfish, J. W. (1998). Repetitive behavior disorders in autism. Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, 4, 80–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Libbey, J. E., Sweeten, T. L., McMahon, W. M., & Fujinami, R. S. (2005). Autistic disorder and viral infections. Journal of Neurovirology, 11, 1–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liu-Gitz, L., & Banda, D. R. (2010). A replication of the RIRD strategy to decrease vocal stereotypy in a student with autism. Behavioral Interventions, 25(1), 77–87. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2010-02408-005&site=ehost-live.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorenz, K. Z. (1937). The companion in the bird’s world. Auk, 54, 245–273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loupe, P. S., Schroeder, S. R., & Tessel, R. E. (1995). FR discrimination training effects in SHR and microencephalic rats. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 51, 869–876. doi:10.1016/0091-3057(95)00061-Z.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Love, J. J., Miguel, C. F., Fernand, J. K., & LaBrie, J. K. (2012). The effects of matched stimulation and response interruption and redirection on vocal stereotypy. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 45, 549–564.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald, R., Green, G., Mansfield, R., Geckeler, A., Gardenier, N., Anderson, J., Holcomb, W., & Sanchez, J. (2006). Stereotypy in young children with autism and typically developing children. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 28, 266–77.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maestro, S., Muratori, F., Cavallaro, M. C., Pei, F., Stern, D., Golse, B., et al. (2002). Attentional skills during the first 6 months of age in autism spectrum disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 41(10), 1239–1245. doi:10.1097/00004583-200210000-00014.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., & Wilkins, J. (2007). A critical review of assessment targets and methods for social skills excesses and deficits for children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 1, 28–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Fodstat, J. C., & Rivet, T. T. (2009). The relationship of social skills and problem behaviors in adults with intellectual disability and autism or PDD-NOS. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3, 258–268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCabe, P. C., & Marshall, D. J. (2006). Measuring the social competence of preschool children with specific language impairment correspondence among informant ratings and behavioral observations. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 26, 234–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • McConnell, S. R. (2002). Interventions to facilitate social interaction for young children with autism: Review of available research and recommendations for educational intervention and future research. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 32, 351–372. doi:10.1023/A:1020537805154.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Merin, N., Young, G. S., Ozonoff, S., & Rogers, S. J. (2007). Visual fixation patterns during reciprocal social interaction distinguish a subgroup of 6-month-old infants at-risk for autism from comparison infants. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(1), 108–121. doi:10.1007/s10803-006-0342-4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miguel, C. F., Clark, K., Tereshko, L., & Ahearn, W. H. (2009). The effects of response interruption and redirection and sertraline on vocal stereotypye. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42(4), 883–888. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2010-00258-019&site=ehost-live.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Milner, B. (1965). Visually-guided maze learning in man: Effects of bilateral hippocampal, bilateral frontal, and unilateral cerebral lesions Neuropsychologia, 3, 317–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, S., Brian, J., Zwaigenbaum, L., et al. (2006). Early language and communication development of infants later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 27, S69–S78.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, C., & Dunham, P. J., (Eds.) (1995). Joint attention: Its origins and role in development. Hillsdale: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=1995-97586-000&site=ehost-live.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mouridsen, S. E. (2003). Childhood disintegrative disorder. Brain and Development, 25, 225–228.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mundy, P. (1995). Joint attention and social-emotional approach behavior in children with autism. Development and Psychopathology, 7(1), 63–82. doi:10.1017/S0954579400006349.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mundy, P. (2003). The neural basis of social impairments in autism: The role of the dorsal medial-frontal cortex and anterior cingulate system. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 44(6), 793–809. doi:10.1111/1469-7610.00165.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mundy, P., & Gomes, A. (1998). Individual differences in joint attention skill development in the second year. Infant Behavior & Development, 21(3), 469–482. doi:10.1016/S0163-6383(98)90020-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mundy, P., & Markus, J. (1997). On the nature of communication and language impairment in autism. Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, 3(4), 343–349. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1098–2779(1997)3:4<343::AID-MRDD9>3.0.CO;2-O.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mundy, P., & Neal, A. R. (2001). Neural plasticity, joint attention, and a transactional social-orienting model of autism. In L. M. Glidden (Ed.), International review of research in mental retardation: Autism (vol. 23, pp. 139–168). San Diego: Academic. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2001-18069-006&site=ehost-live.

  • Mundy, P., & Sigman, M. (1989). The theoretical implications of joint-attention deficits in autism. Development and Psychopathology, 1(3), 173–183. doi:10.1017/S0954579400000365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mundy, P., Sigman, M., & Kasari, C. (1994). Joint attention, developmental level, and symptom presentation in autism. Development and Psychopathology, 6, 389–401.doi:10.1017/S0954579400006003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mundy, P., Sullivan, L., & Mastergeorge, A. M. (2009). A parallel and distributed-processing model of joint attention, social cognition and autism. Autism Research, 2(1), 2–21. doi:10.1002/aur.61.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nevin, J. A. (1992). An integrative model for the study of behavioral momentum. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 57, 301–316.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nevin, J. A., & Grace, R.C. (2000). Behavioral momentum and the law of effect. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 23, 73–130.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Njardvik, U., Matson, J. L., & Cherry, K. E. (1999). A comparison of social skill in adults with autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, and mental retardation. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 29, 287–295.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Osterling, J., & Dawson, G. (1994). Early recognition of children with autism: A study of first birthday home videotapes. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 24(3), 247–257. doi:10.1007/BF02172225.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Osterrieth, P. A. (1944). Le test de copie d’une figure complexe. Archives de Psychologie, 30, 206–356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ozonoff, S., Pennington, B. F., & Rogers, S. J. (1991). Executive function deficits in high-functioning autistic individuals: Relationship to theory of mind. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 32(7), 1081–1105. doi:10.1111/j.1469–7610.1991.tb00351.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ozonoff, S., Closif, A., Baguio, F., Cook, I. C., Hill, M. M., Hutman, T., et al. (2010). A prospective study of the emergence of early behavioral signs of autism. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 49(3), 256–266. doi:10.1097/00004583-201003000-00009.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, D. (2012). The role of atomic repertoires in complex behavior. The Behavior Analyst, 35, 59–73.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pandey, J., Verbalis, A., Robins, D. L., Boorstein, H., Klin, A., Babitz, T., et al. (2008). Screening for autism in older and younger toddlers with the modified checklist for autism in toddlers. Autism, 12, 513–535.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Patten, E. & Watson, L. R. (2011). Interventions targeting attention in young children with autism. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20, 60–69.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pavlov, I. P. (1927). Conditioned reflexes [Translated by G. V. Anrep]. London: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pennington, B. F., & Ozonoff, S. (1996). Executive functions and developmental psychopathology. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 37, 51–87. doi:10.1111/j.1469–7610.1996.tb01380.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira-Delgado, J. & Greer, R. D. (2009). The effects of peer monitoring training on the emergence of the capability to learn from observing instruction received by peers. The Psychological Record, 59, 407–434.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, N. (1960). Control of behavior by presentation of an imprinting stimulus. Science, 132, 1295–1396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piazza, C. C., Adelinis, J. D., Hanley, G. P., Goh, H., & Delia, M. D. (2000). An evaluation of the effects of matched stimuli on behaviors maintained by automatic reinforcement. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 33, 13–27

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pinto, D. et al. (2010). Functional impact of global rare copy number variations in autism spectrum disorder. Nature, 466, 368–372.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prior, M., & Hoffmann, W. (1990). Brief report: Neuropsychological testing of autistic children through an exploration with frontal lobe tests. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 20, 581–590. doi:10.1007/BF02216063.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rapp, J. T. & Vollmer, T. R., (2005). Stereotypy I: A review of behavioral assessment and treatment. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 26, 527–547.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rey, A. (1941). L’examen psychologique dans les cas d’encephalopathie traumatique. Archives de Psychologie, 28, 286–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rincover, A. (1978). Sensory extinction: A procedure for eliminating self-stimulatory behavior in developmentally disabled children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 6, 299–310.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Robins, D., Fein, D., Barton, M., & Green, J. (2001). The modified checklist for children with autism: An initial study investigating the early detection of autism and pervasive developmental disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31, 131–144.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roeyers, H., Van Oost, P., & Bothuyne, S. (1998). Immediate imitation and joint attention in young children with autism. Development and Psychopathology, 10(3), 441–450. doi:10.1017/S0954579498001680.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saint-Georges, C., Cassel, R. S., Cohen, D., Chetouani, M., Laznik, M., Maestro, S., et al. (2010). What studies of family home movies can teach us about autistic infants: A literature review. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 4, 355–366. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2009.10.017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlinger, H. D. (2009). Theory of Mind: An overview and behavioral perspective. The Psychological Record, 59, 435–448.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schumacher, B. I., & Rapp, J. T. (2011). Evaluation of the immediate and subsequent effects of response interruption and redirection on vocal stereotypye. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44(3), 681–685. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2011-23675-028&site=ehost-live.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schreibman, L., & Carr, E. G. (1978). Elimination of echolalic responding to questions through the training of a generalized verbal response. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 11, 453–463.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sebat, J. et al. (2007). Strong association of de novo copy number mutations with autism. Science, 316, 445–449.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shattuck, P. (2006). The contribution of diagnostic substitution to the growing administrative prevalence of autism in US special education. Pediatrics, 117, 1028–1037. doi:10.1542/peds.2005–1516.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, S. (1977). Morphine tolerance acquisition as an associative process. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes, 3, 1–13. doi:10.1037/0097-7403.3.1.1.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, B. F. (1938). The behavior of organisms: An experimental analysis. New York: Appleton-Century.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, B. F. (1945). The operational analysis of psychological terms. Psychological Review, 52(5), 270–277. doi:10.1037/h0062535

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, B.F. (1950). Are theories of learning necessary? Psychological Review, 57, 193–216.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, B.F. (1956). What is psychotic behavior? In F. Gildea, (Ed.), Theory and treatment of the psychoses: Some newer aspects (pp. 77–99). St. Louis: Committee on Publications, Washington University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, B.F. (1981). Selection by consequences. Science, 213, 501–504.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smaby, K. M., MacDonald, R. P. F., Ahearn, W. H., & Dube, W. V. (2007). Assessment protocol for identifying preferred social consequences. Behavioral Interventions, 318, 311–318. doi:10.1002/bin.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, E.A., & Van Houten, R. (1996). A comparison of the characteristics of self-stimulatory behavior in “normal” children and children with developmental disabilities. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 17, 253–268.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, R. G., Russo, L., & Le, D. D. (1999). Distinguishing between extinction and punishment effects of response blocking: A replication. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 32, 367–370.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Spradlin, J. E., & Brady, N. (2008). A behavior analytic interpretation of theory of mind. International Journal of Psychology and Psychotherapy, 8, 335–350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, B. A., & DeQuinzo, J. A. (2012). Observational learning and children with autism. Behavior Modification, 36, 1–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, B. A., & Hoch, H. (2008). Teaching children with autism to respond to and initiate bids for joint attention. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 41, 377–391.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, B. A., Hoch, H., & Weisman, M. (2005). The analysis and treatment of vocal stereotypy in a child with autism. Behavioral Interventions, 20, 239–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, B. A., DeQuinzo, J. A, & Stine, J. (2012). Increasing observational learning of children with autism: A preliminary analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 45, 815–820.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tomasello, M. (1992). The social bases of language acquisition. Social Development, 1(1), 67–87. doi:10.1111/j.1467–9507.1992.tb00135.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomasello, M., & Todd, J. (1983). Joint attention and lexical acquisition style. First Language, 4(12), 197–211. doi:10.1177/014272378300401202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanderkerken, L., Heyvaert, M., Maes, B., and Onghena, P. (2013). Psychosocial interventions for reducing vocal challenging behavior in persons with autistic disorder: A multilevel meta-analysis of single-case experiments. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 34(12), 4515–4533. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2013.09.030.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Varni, J. W., Lovaas, O. I., Koegel, R. L., & Everett, N. L. (1979). An analysis of observational learning in autistic and normal children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 7, 31–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vollmer, T. R. (1994). The concept of automatic reinforcement: Implications for behavioral research in developmental disabilities. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 15, 187–207.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vollmer, T. R., Marcus, B. A., & LeBlanc, L. (1994). Treatment of self-injury and hand mouthing following inconclusive functional analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 27, 331–344.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Warreyn, P., Roeyers, H., Oelbrandt, T., & De Groote, I. (2005). What are you looking at? Joint attention and visual perspective taking in young children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 17 55–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warreyn, P., Roeyers, H., Van Wetswinkel, U., & De Groote, I. (2007). Temporal coordination of joint attention behavior in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(3), 501–512. doi:10.1007/s10803-006-0184-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Welsh, M. C., & Pennington, B. F. (1988). Assessing frontal lobe functioning in children: Views from developmental psychology. Developmental Neuropsychology, 4(3), 199–230. doi:10.1080/87565648809540405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, J. H. G., Whiten, A., & Singh, T. (2004). A systematic review of action imitation in autistic spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34, 285–299.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Willemsen-Swinkels, S., & Buitelaar, J. K. (2002). The autistic spectrum: Subgroups, boundaries, and treatment. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 25, 811–836. doi:10.1016/S0193-953×(02)00020–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wing, L. (1988). The continuum of autistic disorders. In E. Schopler & G. M. Mesibov (Eds.) Diagnosis and assessment in autism (pp. 91–110). New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wing, L. (1992) Manifestations of social problems in high-functioning autistic people. In E. Schopler & G.B. Mesibov (Eds.) High-functioning individuals with autism (pp. 129–42). New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wing, L., & Potter, D. (2002). The epidemiology of autistic spectrum disorders: Is the prevalence rising? Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, 8, 151–161.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yoder, P., Stone, W. L., Walden, T., & Malesa, E. (2009). Predicting social impairment and ASD diagnosis in younger siblings of childrne with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1007/210803-009-0753-0.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, G. S., Merin, N., Rogers, S. J., & Ozonoff, S. (2009). Gaze behavior and affect at months: Predicting clinical outcomes and language development in typically developing infants and infants at risk for autism. Developmental Science, 12, 798–814. doi:10.1111/j.1467–7687.2009.00833.x.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zwaigenbaum, L., Bryson, S., Rogers, T., Roberts, W., Brian, J., & Szatmari, P. (2005). Behavioral manifestations of autism in the first year of life. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 23(2–3), 143–152. doi:10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2004.05.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The New England Center for Children, 33 Turnpike Road, 01772, Southborough, MA, USA

    William H. Ahearn Ph.D., BCBA-D, Diana Parry-Cruwys, Tracey Toran & Jacquelyn MacDonald

Authors
  1. William H. Ahearn Ph.D., BCBA-D
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Diana Parry-Cruwys
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tracey Toran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jacquelyn MacDonald
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to William H. Ahearn Ph.D., BCBA-D .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA

    Florence D. DiGennaro Reed

  2. Dept. Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA

    Derek D. Reed

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ahearn, W., Parry-Cruwys, D., Toran, T., MacDonald, J. (2015). Stimulus Salience in Autism: A Social Learning Disorder. In: DiGennaro Reed, F., Reed, D. (eds) Autism Service Delivery. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2656-5_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation