Behavioral treatment of autistic persons: A review of research from 1980 to the present

Studies evaluating behavioral treatment of autism from 1980 to the present were reviewed Studies included were published in journal articles and utilized behavioral methodology. A total of 251 studies were included in the review. Each study was analyzed for target behaviors and behavioral techniques implemented. Target behaviors were divided into categories, which included aberrant behaviors, social skills, language, daily living skills, and academic skills Behavioral techniques were classified 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 presented. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd