Teaching "How?" mand-for-information frames to children with autism

J Appl Behav Anal. 2013 Dec;46(4):781-91. doi: 10.1002/jaba.71. Epub 2013 Aug 9.

Abstract

The current study extends the mand-for-information literature by examining a method to teach mand-for-information frames, targeting 2 frames for the "How?" mand ("How do I?" and "How many?"). Using separate behavior chains to target the 2 frames, we taught 3 children with autism to emit mands for information with 1 behavior chain and assessed generalization with the remaining behavior chains. Behavior chains that the participants were unable to perform independently and that produced a desirable outcome for the participant (e.g., tornado water) were used to contrive the relevant motivating operation. For all 3 participants, mands for information generalized across motivating operations and response topographies.

Keywords: behavior chains; mand frames; mands for information; motivating operation.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Autistic Disorder / psychology*
  • Child
  • Cues*
  • Education of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / methods*
  • Generalization, Psychological
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motivation
  • Observer Variation
  • Verbal Behavior