Increasing compliance with medical examination requests directed to children with autism: effects of a high-probability request procedure

J Appl Behav Anal. 2011 Spring;44(1):193-7. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2011.44-193.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a high-probability (high-p) request sequence as a means of increasing compliance with medical examination tasks. Participants were children who had been diagnosed with autism and who exhibited noncompliance during general medical examinations. The inclusion of the high-p request sequence effectively increased compliance with medical examination tasks. In addition, the procedure was efficient, could be implemented by parents and medical professionals, and did not involve aversive procedures.

Keywords: autism; children; high-probability request sequence; noncompliance.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Autistic Disorder* / diagnosis
  • Autistic Disorder* / psychology
  • Autistic Disorder* / rehabilitation
  • Child
  • Cooperative Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patient Compliance*
  • Physical Examination / methods*
  • Probability Learning*