This study was done to check the effects of lag schedules of reinforcement on the social skill accuracy and variability in the population with developmental disorders.
The study included 5 participants who had autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The participants were between the ages of 10 and 14 years who attended a twice-weekly social skills group for 8 weeks. A multiple probe design across skills with concurrent replication across participants was utilized to assess the effects of social skills training using multiple exemplars and lag schedules on social skill variability. Before the start of the intervention, participants demonstrated low levels of skill accuracy and appropriate variability that clearly indicated that there is a need for proper intervention. Training with one and three exemplars of target skills without lag schedules resulted in no to small increases in the appropriate variability, despite increases in skill accuracy.
The study concluded through its findings that following the introduction of lag schedules, substantial increases were observed. Post-intervention rating scales completed by parents of participants indicated improvements in social functioning and reductions in repetitive behavior.
Reference: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1088357618811608
