Evidence-based treatment of behavioral excesses and deficits for individuals with autism spectrum disorders

Abstract

The practice of evidence-based treatment of challenging behavior in autism has been heavily influenced by the application of principles and practices based on the experimental analysis of behavior, and particularly applied behavior analysis, to deficits or excesses in the behavioral repertoire of individuals with autism, Asperger Syndrome, and related pervasive developmental disorders. Indeed, for over 50 years, the learning principles established by Skinner (1938, 1953) and others have guided both the assessment and intervention process, evolving systematically as new findings are published and replicated. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.