It was hypothesized that systematic visual-color consequences contingent upon verbalizations would be effective in augmenting the rate of sounds as well as shaping specific words and word approximations, in a six-yr.-old autistic child. It was found that verbalizations were augmented over a base rate in a free operant situation. However, in a prompt-response contingency food was significantly more powerful in shaping specific sounds. Reasons for the difference were discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BlakeP.MossT.The development of socialization skills in an electively mute child. Behav. Res. Therapy, 1967, 5, 349–356.
2.
BrianC. R.GoodenoughF. L.The relative potency of color and form perception at various ages. J. exp. Psychol., 1929, 12, 197–213.
3.
FinemanK. R.Visual-color reinforcement in establishment of speech by an autistic child. Percept. mot. Skills, 1968, 26, 761–762.
4.
GoldsteinK.Some experimental observations concerning the influence of color on the function of the organism. Occup. Ther. Rehabilit., 1942, 21, 147–151.
5.
HewettF. M.Teaching speech to an autistic child through operant conditioning. Amer. J. Orthopsychiat., 1965, 35, 927–936.
6.
KishG. B.Studies of sensory reinforcement. In HonigW. K. (Ed.), Operant behavior: Areas of research and application. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1966. Pp. 109–159.
7.
PodolskyE.The doctor prescribes colors. New York: National Library Press, 1938.
8.
PresseyS. L.The influence of color upon mental and motor efficiency. Amer. J. Psychol., 1921, 32, 326–356.
9.
RheingoldH.StanleyW.DoyleG.Visual and auditory reinforcement of a manipulatory response in the young child. J. exp. child Psychol., 1964, 1, 316–326.
10.
StevensonH.OdomR.Visual reinforcement with children. J. exp. child Psychol., 1964, 1, 248–255.
