Nesrhtens…..

Researchers John W. Esch and Barbare E. Esch from Esch Behavior Consultants Inc, have along with Jessa R. Love from Western Michigan Univeristy published an interesting study in the current issue of The Analysis of Verbal Behavior on increasing vocal variability in children with autism.

As all working with children with autism the variability and flexibility of language is a particular challenging area of language teaching, and makes an interesting and important area for behavior analytic research. In this study the researchers has successfully applied a lag schedule of reinforcement. A Lag schedule typically reinforce responses different from the last (or several preceding) responses.

This study shows promising results with children with very limited verbal repertoire, and it would be really interesting to see someone try this out on children with a greater repertoire of language.

Related posts:

1. Vocal responding across verbal operants
2. Concurrent and competing schedules of reinforcement in EIBI for children with autism
3. Derived relational mands in children with autism.