2019 Volume 34 Issue 1 Pages 87-102
Reinforcement through social interactions is considered necessary in the education and treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, it is possible that social interactions do not function as a reinforcer for some children with autism spectrum disorders. Thus, it is necessary to search for an effective method of establishing social interactions as a conditioned reinforcer. The present study reviews previously published studies in order to examine differences in conditioning that are related to age, diagnosis, method of conditioning, type of neutral stimulus, type of reinforcer, and combinations of different stimuli and reinforcers. A conditioning established ratio was calculated for age, diagnosis, method of conditioning, type of neutral stimulus, and type of reinforcer in 26 studies. Furthermore, a conditioning established ratio was calculated in relation to different combinations of neutral stimuli and reinforcers. The results revealed differences in conditioning related to age, diagnosis, and types of neutral stimuli and reinforcers. In order to develop a method for establishing social interactions as a reinforcer for children with autism spectrum disorders, it is desirable to conduct further research on social reinforcers.
