Shaping approach responses as intervention for specific phobia in a child with autism.

Joseph N. Ricciardi, James K. Luiselli, & Marianne Camare. (2006) Shaping approach responses as intervention for specific phobia in a child with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 39, 445-448.

We evaluated contact desensitization (reinforcing approach responses) as intervention for specific phobia with a child diagnosed with autism. During hospital-based intervention, the boy was able to encounter previously avoided stimuli. Parental report suggested that results were maintained postdischarge.

DESCRIPTORS: contact desensitization, specific phobia, autism, changing-criterion design