The Application of Behavior Analysis to the Development of Language in an Autistic Child. RIEEC Research Bulletin, Working Paper Series.

A 9-year-old autistic boy with language comprehension skills but minimal meaningful expressive language was exposed to a language training program. The program began with imitation of sounds and progressed to discrimination training, responding to his name, and partial verbalization. Positive reinforcement (including food and a revolving light) was supplied throughout the program. The S's spontaneous verbalizations to picture card stimuli increased dramatically during treatment, with additional evidence of improved verbal clarity. Difficulties with misbehavior and use of food reinforcement were noted. Training effects did not generalize to other settings. (CL)