A Step-by-Step Program for Decreasing Fear of Leaving Home: High School Student with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

In the present study, in order to increase and enhance the ability of a high school student with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to leave his home, a procedure including successive approximation and in vivo exposure was provided to him. Prior to the study, he had feared going out and refused to go to school. The step-by-step procedure was implemented as his homework with the help of his mother. After the student dropped out of school, career guidance was also provided. The step-by-step procedure appeared to have enabled the student to go out and to have resolved the anxiety and fear associated with doing so. Moreover, the intervention's effects generalized to other settings. The student has attended a different school for 2 years. Problems did not reoccur during the following 3 years. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are presented.