Using percentile schedules to increase eye contact in children with Fragile X syndrome.

Scott S. Hall, Natalee P. Maynes, & Allan L. Reiss. (2009). Using percentile schedules to increase eye contact in children with Fragile X syndrome. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42, 171-176.

Aversion to eye contact is a common behavior of individuals diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome (FXS); however, no studies to date have attempted to increase eye-contact duration in these individuals. In this study, we employed a percentile reinforcement schedule with and without overcorrection to shape eye-contact duration of 6 boys with FXS. Results showed that although aversion to eye contact is often thought to be unamenable to change in FXS, it can be shaped in some individuals using percentile schedules either alone or in combination with overcorrection.

DESCRIPTORS: eye contact, Fragile X syndrome, overcorrection, percentile schedules, shaping