The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is on the rise. In addition to the social communication skill deficits and restrictive repetitive behaviors and interests, many individuals with ASD engage in challenging behavior. Challenging behavior is associated with a multitude of negative outcomes. Challenging behavior may cause harm to the individual with ASD as well as limit opportunities for educational, vocational, and social participation and development. In addition, caregivers experience high stress and low quality of mental health. As a result, challenging behavior warrants intervention that is specifically tailored to the unique characteristics of individuals with ASD. The purpose of this Special Issue is to showcase recent research in the treatment of challenging behavior for individuals with ASD. This two-part Special Issue contains 12 studies that range from systematic and quality reviews of the intervention literature, to innovative treatment approaches, to studies that develop and evaluate treatments for restrictive and repetitive behaviors and interests.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
2.
BakerB. L.BlacherJ.CrnicK. A.EdelbrockC. (2002). Behavior problems and parenting stress of three-year-old children with and without developmental delays. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 107, 433-444.
3.
BakerB. L.McIntyreL. L.CrnicK.EdelbrockC.LowC. (2003). Preschool children with and without developmental delay: Behavior problems and parenting stress over time. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 47, 217-230. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2788.2005.00691.x
4.
BetzA. M.FisherW. W.RoaneH. S.MintzJ. C.OwenT. M. (2013). A component analysis of schedule thinning during functional communication training. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 46, 219-241. doi:10.1002/jaba.23
5.
BriggsA. M.AkersJ. S.GreerB. D.FisherW. W.RetzlaffB. J. (IN PRESS). Systematic changes in preference for schedule-thinning arrangements as a function of relative reinforcement density. Behavior Modification.
6.
BroganK. M.RappJ. T.SennottL. A.CookJ. L.SwinkelsE. (IN PRESS). Further analysis of the predictive effects of a free-operant competing stimulus assessment on stereotypy. Behavior Modification.
7.
BromleyJ.HareD. J.DavidsonK.EmersonE. (2004). Mothers supporting children with autistic spectrum disorders: Social support, mental health status and satisfaction with services. Autism, 8, 409-423. doi:10.1177/1362361304047224
ChristensenD. L.BaioJ.BraunK. V.BilderD.CharlesJ.ConstantinoJ. N.. . . Yeargin-AllsoppM. (2016). Prevalence and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years—Autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 11 sites, United States, 2012. Surveillance Summaries, 65(3), 1-23.
10.
ClayC. J.ClohisyA. M.BallA. M.HaiderA. F.SchmitzB. A.KahngS. (IN PRESS). Further evaluation of presentation format of competing stimuli for treatment of automatically maintained challenging behavior. Behavior Modification.
11.
DurandM. V.MoskowitzL. (2015). Functional communication training: Thirty years of treating challenging behavior. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 35, 116-126. doi:10.1177/0271121415569509
12.
EmersonE. (1995). Challenging behaviour: Analysis and intervention in people with severe learning disabilities. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
13.
EmersonE. (2000). Challenging behavior: Analysis and intervention in people with intellectual disabilities (2nd ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
14.
ErturkB.MachalicekW.DrewC. (IN PRESS). Self-injurious behavior in children with developmental disabilities: A systematic review of behavioral intervention literature. Behavior Modification.
15.
FalcomataT. S.MuethingC. S.GaineyS.HoffmanK.FragaleC. (2013). Further evaluations of functional communication training and chained schedules of reinforcement to treat multiple functions of challenging behavior. Behavior Modification, 37, 723-746. doi:10.1177/0145445513500785
16.
FalcomataT. S.MuethingC. S.SilbaughB. C.AdamiS.HoffmanK.ShpallC.RingdahlJ. E. (IN PRESS). Lag schedules and functional communication training: Persistence of mands and relapse of problem behavior. Behavior Modification.
17.
GerowS.Hagan-BurkeS.RispoliM.GregoriE.MasonR.NinciJ. (IN PRESS). A systematic review of parent-implemented functional communication training for children with ASD. Behavior Modification.
18.
HaqS. S.MachalicekW.GarbaczS. A.DrewC. (IN PRESS). Employing a fixed-lean multiple schedule in the treatment of challenging behavior for children with autism spectrum disorder. Behavior Modification.
19.
HornerR. H.DiemerS. M.BrazeauK. C. (1992). Educational support for students with severe problem behaviors in Oregon: A descriptive analysis from the 1987–1988 school year. Research and Practice for Persons With Severe Disabilities, 17, 154-169.
20.
KunnavatanaS.WolfeK.AguilarJ. (IN PRESS). Assessing mand topography preference when developing a functional communication training intervention. Behavior Modification.
21.
LindgrenS.WackerD.SuessA.SchieltzK.PelzelK.KopelmanT.. . . WaldronD. (2016). Telehealth and autism: Treating challenging behavior at lower cost. Pediatrics, 137(Suppl. 2), S167-S175. doi:10.1542/peds.2015-2851O
22.
MacNaulH. L.NeelyL. C. (IN PRESS). Systematic review of differential reinforcement of alternative behavior without extinction for individuals with autism. Behavior Modification.
23.
MatsonJ. L.MahanS.HessJ. A.FodstadJ. C.NealD. (2010). Progression of challenging behaviors in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders as measured by the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Problem Behaviors for Children (ASD-PBC). Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 4, 400-404. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2009.10.010
24.
MatsonJ. L.WilkinsJ.MackenJ. (2009). The relationship of challenging behaviors to severity and symptoms of autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 2, 29-44. doi:10.1080/19315860802611415
25.
OdomS. L.BoydB. A.HallL. J.HumeK. (2010). Evaluation of comprehensive treatment models for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40, 425-436. doi:10.1007/s10803-009-0825-1
26.
RandallK. R.LambertJ. M.MatthewsM. P.Houchins-JuarezN. L. (IN PRESS). Individualized levels system and systematic stimulus pairing to reduce multiply controlled aggression of a child with autism spectrum disorder. Behavior Modification.
27.
RispoliM.BrodheadM.WolfeK.GregoriE. (IN PRESS). Trial-based functional analysis informs treatment for vocal scripting. Behavior Modification.
WestonR.HodgesA.DavisT. N. (IN PRESS). Differential reinforcement of other behavior to treat challenging behaviors among children with autism: A systematic and quality review. Behavior Modification.
30.
WongC.OdomS. L.HumeK.CoxA. W.FettigA.KucharczykS.. . . SchultzT. R. (2014). Evidence-based practices for children, youth, and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Chapel Hill: Autism Evidence-Based Practice Review Group, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, The University of North Carolina.
31.
WorcesterJ. A.NesmanT. M.Raffaele MendezL. M. R.KellerH. R. (2008). Giving voice to parents of young children with challenging behavior. Exceptional Children, 4, 509-525.
