Abstract
Efficacy of NDRA (natural DRA, Uchida, 1987) for transforming generalized and localized stereotyped behavior in autistic children into appropriate gross motor and toy play, is an established fact, The present study is an extension to eliciting higher level play of my investigations of NDRA. Two groups of two autistic children, equated for CA and MA, were systematically manipulated the levels of gross motor and toy play producing the natural reinforcers identified in NDRA. The results demonstrated the following : (a) Systematic manipulation of NDRA produced significant increases in symbolic gross motor and toy play without external reinforcers and presentation of models (b) Symbolic gross motor and toy play produced significant decreases in subsequent levels of maintenance of sameness, but the former was more effective. The findings suggest that the systematic manipulation of NDRA could play an essential role in facilitating the socialization of autistic children in the least restrictive environment or the ordinary community of nondisabled.
