ASD ASD Intervention and Treatment Approaches 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) targets which 'pivotal' areas to produce broad improvements in ASD?
- Motivation, self-management, and responsivity to multiple cues (Correct answer)
- Verbal behavior and imitation only
- Fine motor skills and self-care
- Academic readiness and literacy
Correct answer: Motivation, self-management, and responsivity to multiple cues
PRT targets pivotal areas like motivation and self-management because improvements in these areas generalize to many other behaviors.
Question 2: A behavior intervention plan (BIP) for a student with ASD should ALWAYS be based on results from which process?
- Standardized IQ testing
- Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) (Correct answer)
- Adaptive behavior rating scales alone
- Parent interview only
Correct answer: Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
An FBA identifies the function of the behavior (attention, escape, sensory, access) so the BIP can teach a functionally equivalent replacement behavior.
Question 3: Which medication is FDA-approved specifically for the treatment of irritability associated with ASD in pediatric patients?
- Methylphenidate
- Aripiprazole (Abilify) (Correct answer)
- Fluoxetine
- Clonidine
Correct answer: Aripiprazole (Abilify)
Aripiprazole (Abilify) and risperidone are the only FDA-approved medications for irritability (aggression, self-injury, tantrums) in ASD.
Question 4: Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) combine which two theoretical frameworks?
- Psychoanalysis and cognitive therapy
- ABA principles and developmental science (Correct answer)
- Occupational therapy and speech-language pathology
- Floortime and RDI
Correct answer: ABA principles and developmental science
NDBIs like JASPER and PRT blend ABA's reinforcement principles with developmental science's focus on social-communication and play.
Question 5: When implementing a token economy with a learner with ASD, tokens should be exchanged for backup reinforcers on a schedule that is INITIALLY:
- Very thin (every 20+ responses)
- Very dense (every 1–2 responses) (Correct answer)
- Fixed at 10 responses per token
- Variable and unpredictable
Correct answer: Very dense (every 1–2 responses)
Beginning with a dense schedule ensures the token quickly gains value as a conditioned reinforcer before gradually thinning the schedule.
Question 6: Which of the following is a KEY principle distinguishing SCERTS (Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, Transactional Support) from other ASD models?
- It focuses exclusively on verbal communication
- It prioritizes spontaneous and functional communication over prompted responses (Correct answer)
- It is designed only for adults with ASD
- It eliminates all behavioral supports
Correct answer: It prioritizes spontaneous and functional communication over prompted responses
SCERTS emphasizes genuine, unprompted communication and emotional regulation as primary goals within meaningful social contexts.
ASD ASD Intervention and Treatment Approaches 2
Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) targets which 'pivotal' areas to produce broad improvements in ASD?