Self-Reinforcement Used to Increase the Appropriate Conversation of Autistic Teenagers

A study is presented that demonstrates that self-reinforcement can be used to increase the appro-priate conversation of teenagers with autism. The study is a systematic replication of a procedure implemented with head trauma youths reported by Gajar, Schloss, Schloss, and Thompson (1984), where feedback and self-monitoring were used to increase appropriate conversation. The current study consisted of five phases: a non-contingent reinforcement baseline phase was followed by an external-reinforcement phase. A self-reinforcement phase was then introduced, followed by a return to baseline. The study concluded with a return to the self-reinforcement phase. Subjects demonstrated increased levels of appropriate conversation during the external and self-reinforcement phases, and decreased levels of appropriate conversation in the return to baseline phase.