Goal Setting Interventions: Implications for Participants on the Autism Spectrum

Abstract

Single-case research design studies that included a goal setting component in interventions for a broad array of participants engaged in a learner role were reviewed. A systematic search of the empirical literature identified 38 studies that met the inclusion criteria. These studies were evaluated in terms of participant characteristics, who set the goals (self or other), how goals were incorporated into interventions, type of behavior change goal setting was applied to and whether maintenance and generalization of intervention effects was assessed. Results highlight the potential benefits of including a self-set goal component in interventions aimed at assisting participants across the autism spectrum to achieve independent functioning. An agenda is proposed for future research exploring goal setting for this population.