Decreasing Socially Inappropriate Behaviors in Response to the Vulgar Language of Others
Alessandro Dibari, Francesca Marchetti, Daniele Rizzi
This clinical evaluation examines the effects of Behavioral Skills Training (BST, Miltenberger, 2004) on the reduction of problem behaviors in response to the vulgar language of others and on the acquisition of responses appropriate to this context. The participant was an 11-year-old pupil, with a diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). An AB Design was used to evaluate treatment effects, measuring the percentage of episodes in which problem behaviors and socially appropriate behaviors were exhibited and evaluating the generalization of treatment effects in different group contexts. Results showed a decrease in problem behaviors exhibited in target settings and an increase in appropriate responses, in the context of training and generalization in the peer group. This clinical evaluation broadens BST literature and provides a strategy based on instruction, modelling, role-play and feedback to teach socially appropriate behaviors and to promote generalization through in vivo training.
Keywords
Problem behaviors, Behavioral Skills Training, DRA, Natural environment teaching.
