The effectiveness of discrimination training on acquistion of observational learning skills in children with autism spectrum disorders

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of discrimination training on acquistion of observational learning skills to three children (between 4 and 8 years old) with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). An adult was used as model during discrimination training. One of the parents decided not to take a part in the presentation of the findings in the study; therefore, the results were given for two of the participants. A multiple probe design across participants with probe trials was utilized in the study to investigate the effectiveness of discrimination training. The study consisted of baseline sessions, intervention session, maintenance, and generalization sessions. Besides these sessions, the researcher tested stimulus control during probe session designed 5 min after the intervention sessions. In order to promote generalization was used in the study. Maintenance sessions was conducted 10 days after the intervention. Last, social validity of the study was examined to reveal the appropriateness of the goals, procedures, and importance of the findings.