Elopement is one of the most common forms of problem behavior for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is associated with the greatest probability of a lethal outcome. This study evaluated the effects of a function-based treatment package on elopement for two teenage boys with ASD who eloped frequently from caregivers. Functional analyses (FA) identified the variables that evoked and maintained each teen's elopement. Treatment involved a chained schedule comprised primarily of empirically derived differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO), functional communication training (FCT), and extinction procedures. The treatment produced clinically significant decreases in elopement for both teens. Decreases in elopement maintained when the treatment evaluation was extended to additional contexts. The current study extends the literature on assessment and treatment of elopement and chained schedule treatments that involve both DRO and FCT.

Over the last decade, the provision of applied behavior analysis (ABA) services within a telehealth delivery format has had a flourishing literature base. Research has demonstrated that caregivers can successfully conduct functional analyses and functional communication training to treat challenging behavior with coaching from practitioners via telehealth. Previous limitations include research that has only been conducted with children, typically in 1hr, weekly meetings, so the utility of providing ABA therapy via telehealth across the lifespan is unknown. Additionally, the effects of a more intensive treatment format delivered via telehealth has not been evaluated. The purpose of the current study was to coach caregivers to conduct the assessment and treatment process for a young man with developmental disabilities using an intensive-outpatient model in a telehealth format. Functional analysis procedures led to the development of a function-based treatment to reduce challenging behavior and increase functional communication. Caregivers demonstrated high procedural integrity across all phases of the study and found the intervention highly acceptable and effective. Areas for future research and directions are discussed.

Prior studies of sex-based differences in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have yielded mixed findings. This study examined ASD symptom severity and functional correlates in a sample of 34 high-functioning females with ASD (HFASD; M age = 8.93; M IQ = 104.64) compared to 34 matched males (M age = 8.96; M IQ = 104.44) using the Social Responsiveness Scale-Second Edition (SRS-2). Results identified non-significant and minimal differences (negligible-to-small) on the SRS-2 total, DSM-5 symptom subscale, and treatment subscale scores. Significant negative (moderate) correlations were found between the SRS-2 Social Cognition subscale and IQ and language scores and between the SRS-2 Social Motivation subscale and receptive language scores for females only; no significant correlations were found for males.

This study was conducted to extend the research on the adaptive skills of 55 high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorder (HFASD) and 55 children with ASD and co-occurring intellectual disability (LFASD), ages 6–12, using the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Second Edition (ABAS-II). This study examined each group’s adaptive profile, compared adaptive functioning and cognitive ability, and assessed correlates (i.e., age, IQ) of adaptive skills. Results indicated children with HFASD demonstrated cognitive strengths and adaptive deficits, while children with LFASD demonstrated adaptive strengths in the areas of social and conceptual skills, and practical skills commensurate with estimated cognitive ability. Within the HFASD sample, age significantly, negatively correlated with adaptive social ability, while IQ was not significantly correlated with adaptive behavior. Conversely, in the LFASD sample, age did not correlate with adaptive ability, although IQ was significantly related to overall adaptive ability and all domains of the ABAS-II.