Graduation Year
2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Ph.D.
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Degree Granting Department
Child and Family Studies
Major Professor
Raymond G. Miltenberger, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Kwang-Sun Blair, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Kimberly Crosland, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Diego Valbuena, Ph.D.
Keywords
behavioral interventions, exercise promotion, adolescents, neurodevelopmental disorder
Abstract
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (2018) recommends that teenagers engage in physical activity to improve their cardiovascular health and muscle and bone strength. Yet, most teenagers with and without autism spectrum disorder do not meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity. Research related to promoting physical activity has evaluated group contingencies, reinforcement-based interventions, and antecedent interventions; however, these interventions are time-intensive, require many resources, or are ineffective. The purpose of this study was to extend Allen and Iwata (1980) by reinforcing completion of a low-probability exercise to a specified criterion with access to a high-probability exercise. This study was conducted at a dance studio or in the participant’s home. Five teenagers with autism spectrum disorder participated in phase one where the researchers conducted preference assessments of target exercises. These target exercises were body weight exercises, core training exercises, and weight training exercises that were individualized to each participant. Of the five teenagers, three teenagers participated in phase two where the researcher systematically increased criterion for the low-probability exercise to access the high-probability exercise using a changing criterion design. Experimental control was also demonstrated using a multiple baseline design across three participants where they successfully increased their performance of the low-probability exercise to access the high-probability exercise. The researchers conducted preference assessments again to determine any shifts in preference. Limitations and future directions were discussed.
Scholar Commons Citation
Deshmukh, Shreeya S., "An Evaluation of the Premack Contingency to Increase Physical Activity in Teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorder" (2024). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/10496
