Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) & Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
The work of Cummings and Carr (2009) entitled "Evaluating Progress in Behavioral Programs for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Via Continuous and Discontinuous Measurement" reports a study that conducted an examination of the effect of two sets of data collected on skill acquisition and maintenance in behavioral treatment programs for children with autism spectrum disorders in terms of the influence of two frequencies that are differentiated.
Methodology & Data Collection/Analysis
It is reported that the provision of "behavior-analytic treatment" that is intensive in nature has been found to "produce substantial improvements in the repertoires of children with autism spectrum disorders." (Cummings and Carr, 2009, p.57) Cummings and Carr report that two approaches that are of a "disparate" nature "have emerged in the autism treatment community. In continuous measurement systems, it is reported, "data regarding learner responding and prompt level are recorded for every trial." (Cummings and Carr, 2009, p.57) It is reported that the approach used enables a "comprehensive, ongoing account of the learner's performance across all programmed learning opportunities." (Cummings and Carr, 2009, p. 57) It is reported that there have propositions of a different measurement. Data, during measurement that is discontinuous are reported to be recorded "for a subset of learning opportunities. " (Cummings and...
There is little research that informs this area of debate according to Cummings and Carr (2009, p.58) It is reported that continuous measurement methods are generally chosen for production of records that are complete on the observed behavior and that discontinuous measurement methods including such as "interval recording…momentary time sampling is that chosen in view of the observer being under restrictions such as a requirement that multiple participants behavior be measured. (Cummings and Carr, 2009, paraphrased) It is reported that there have been quite a few studies to conduct comparison of "various discontinuous measurement methods with continuous measurement benchmarks." (Cummings and Carr, 2009, p.59) It is reported that studies have been able to identify the following: (i) The relative utility of specific discontinuous measurement methods for estimating behavior; and (ii) How these methods affect clinical decisions. (Cummings and Carr, 2009, p. 60) The findings therefore are not such that can be "directly applied to restricted-operant procedures" however,…
