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Abstract

Obsessive-repetitive behavior is a core feature of autism and represented the presenting complaint for Robert, a 15-year-old boy with autism. Robert's constant rearrangement of objects interfered with his participation in classroom activities, and this behavior was successfully reduced by providing structured opportunities to select and use preferred leisure activities. Provision of structured leisure opportunities could be conceptualized as an antecedent intervention that includes differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior. Although the treatment was generally successful, follow-up data indicated that long-term maintenance could be lacking. This treatment can be recommended given that it appears to be efficacious for applied settings, relatively benign, and easy to implement.

Keywords

antecedent intervention autism obsessive-repetitive behavior

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A Classroom-Based Antecedent Intervention Reduces Obsessive-Repetitive Behavior in an Adolescent With Autism

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