Creating Functional Analysis Graphs Using Microsoft Excel® 2016 for PCs.

Practitioners in the field of applied behavior analysis rely on graphing software to display the data they collect during assessments. However, the graphing process can be cumbersome and procedures change as new versions of software programs are released. The current tutorial provides step-by-step instructions for graphing functional analysis data using Microsoft Excel 2016 for PCs. Instructions for creating functional analysis data depicted in reversal, latency, mulitielment, and trial-based functional analysis are provided.

Distinguishing Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior From Stereotypy: A Preliminary Investigation.

The current project was an initial attempt to develop assessment procedures for distinguishing between obsessive-compulsive (OC) and stereotypic behavior and evaluate the impact of different treatments for these behaviors. Two individuals with autism, one with repetitive behavior characteristic of OC behavior and one with repetitive behavior not characteristic of OC behavior, participated in the study. In Experiment 1, given that individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) report experiencing unpleasant urges that are relieved when they perform compulsive actions, an attempt was made to identify these experiences by measuring heart rate and affect when access to repetitive behavior was restricted and allowed. In Experiment 2, a multiple schedules treatment was conducted with each participant, and in Experiment 3, the participant with autism and OC behavior completed exposure and response prevention (ERP) treatment. The overall results across studies suggest that one potential way to discriminate between OC behavior and stereotypy in nonvocal children with autism is to consider the topography of repetitive behavior along with changes in physiology and affect. In addition, it may be worth considering the use of ERP, a traditional treatment for OCD, to treat repetitive behavior maintained by automatic reinforcement if treatments that provide access to repetitive behavior are not effective.

Description of a practitioner training program on functional analysis and treatment development.

The current project examined the effectiveness of a functional analysis skills training package for practitioners with advanced degrees working within an applied setting. Skills included appropriately carrying out the functional analysis conditions as outlined by Iwata, Dorsey, Slifer, Bauman, and Richman (1982/1994), interpreting multielement functional analysis graphs using the methodology described by Hagopian et al. (1997), determining next steps when functional analysis data are undifferentiated, and selecting function-based interventions once functional analysis data are conclusive. The performance of three participants was examined within a multiple baseline design across participants. Although performance varied, baseline skill level was insufficient prior to intervention across participants and skill areas. Mastery was attained for all participants within four to eight training sessions per skill and the acquired skills were demonstrated effectively during generalization trials. Minimal retraining was required for some component skills at a 3-month follow up.

A single-case experimental analysis of the effects of ambient prism lenses for an adolescent with developmental disabilities.

We evaluated ambient prism lenses as an intervention to improve the cognitive and motor skills of an adolescent diagnosed with autism and mild mental retardation. Cognitive tasks were presented in both ambient prism lenses and no lenses conditions across four assessments in a multielement design. We then evaluated the effects of ambient prism lenses, placebo lenses, and no lenses on motor skills assessed in previous studies (i.e., balance beam walk and ball-catch) as well as leisure and vocational tasks relevant to the student's academic programming (i.e., money sorting and basketball shooting). Results across assessments indicated relative increases in scores across all experimental conditions, indicating practice effects. No differences across the use of ambient prism, placebo, or no lenses conditions were observed. We conclude with a discussion on how to objectively evaluate controversial and/or alternative therapies for children with developmental disabilities.

A modified DBT skills training program for oppositional defiant adolescents: promising preliminary findings.

A modified skills training component of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) was implemented in a group therapy format for non-suicidal outpatient young adolescents who met criteria for oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Thirty-two youths completed the 16-week program, as well as pre- and post-treatment measures. The treatment was effective not only in decreasing negative behaviors, but also in increasing positive behaviors, per caregiver report. The youths reported a significant reduction in externalizing and internalizing symptoms and in depression. Reliable change indices indicated that far more participants were in the improved category than in the deteriorated category on the measures of interest. Despite the absence of control groups but consistent with the treatment outcome research literature for DBT-based treatments for other disorders, this study demonstrated that DBT skills training is feasible and shows promise in improving the behavior of ODD young adolescents.

Extralimital triradii as a putative marker of schizotypy.

Dermatoglyphic anomalies are reported to occur at a higher rate in schizophrenic patients and schizotypic individuals than in the general population, supporting the hypothesis that they are a marker of vulnerability for such conditions. Dermatoglyphic anomalies are hypothesized to indicate severe disruptions in the second trimester of prenatal development, a time period that appears to be etiologically relevant to the development of schizophrenia and related conditions. The present study provides the first examination of extralimital triradii in schizotypic young adults (n=197) and control participants (n=135) identified by the Revised Social Anhedonia Scale [Eckblad, M., Chapman, L.J., Chapman, J.P., Mishlove, M., 1982. The Revised Social Anhedonia Scale. Unpublished test (copies available from T.R. Kwapil, Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro P.O. Box 26164 Greensboro, NC 27402-6164)], the Perceptual Aberration Scale [Chapman, L.J., Chapman, J.P., Raulin, M.L., 1978. Body image aberration in schizophrenia. J. Abnorm. Psychol. 87, 399--407], the Magical Ideation Scale [Eckblad, M.L., Chapman, L.J., 1983. Magical ideation as an indicator of schizotypy. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 51, 215--225], and the Physical Anhedonia Scale [Chapman, L.J., Chapman, J.P., Raulin, M.L., 1976. Scales for physical and social anhedonia. J. Abnorm. Psychol. 85, 374--382]. As hypothesized, the schizotypic participants (6.6%) exhibited significantly higher rates of extralimital triradii than control participants (1.5%). These findings strongly encourage the future investigation of extralimital triradii in at-risk and psychotic populations.

Dermatoglyphic anomalies in psychometrically identified schizotypic young adults.

Dermatoglyphic anomalies are hypothesized to indicate disruptions in the second trimester of prenatal development, a time period that appears to be critical in the etiology of schizophrenia. The present study examined the presence of dermatoglyphic anomalies in psychometrically identified schizotypic young adults (n = 51) and control participants (n = 63) selected based upon their scores on the Perceptual Aberration [J. Abnorm. Psychology 87 (1978) 399] and Magical Ideation Scales [J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 51 (1983) 215]. It was hypothesized that schizotypic participants would exhibit higher rates of dermatoglyphic anomalies than control participants. The Perceptual Aberration-Magical Ideation group exhibited lower total and absolute finger ridge counts and less complex pattern types than control participants--findings consistent with anomalies reported in patients with schizophrenia. These findings encourage future examination of these anomalies in individuals at-risk for schizophrenia and related disorders.