ABSTRACT

This study was to investigate effects of the Multiple Examplar Instruction(MEI) on untaught tact as Naming and untaught Intraverbal using stimuli within equivalent relations. 4 and 5 year old children with Autism Spectrum Disorder participated in the study. A multiple baselines across participants with multiple probes design was used. Direct instruction on part of possible stimulus-response relations with the stimulus equivalence relations were delivered in order to establish reinforcement history within that relations. Probe for untaught stimulus-response within the stimulus equivalence relations, derived intraverbal and derived tact as Naming were conducted. The participant showed low level of correct derived responses with the equivalence relations. A MEI was implemented where the participant learned to respond within the equivalence relations a type of relational frame. The participants showed derived intraverbal and tact responses within the frame and generalized the responding to a novel set of stimuli. Possible source for inconsistent responding across stimuli were discussed in term of behavioral cusps and stimulus control.

Keyword :