BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT OF AUTISTIC PERSONS - A REVIEW OF RESEARCH FROM 1980 TO THE PRESENT

Studies evaluating behavioral treatment of autism from 1980 to the pre sent were reviewed Studies included were published in journal articles and utilized behavioral methodology. A total of 251 studies were incl uded in the review. Each study was analyzed for target behaviors and b ehavioral techniques implemented. Target behaviors were divided into c ategories, which included aberrant behaviors, social skills, language, daily living skills, and academic skills Behavioral techniques were c lassified as positive, negative, extinction, or combined Results were presented for each category Recent trends in the treatment literature were also reviewed and recommendations for future research were presen ted. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd