Engagement In Vocal Stereotypy Research Articles

Artificial intelligence for the measurement of vocal stereotypy

Both researchers and practitioners often rely on direct observation to measure and monitor behavior. When these behaviors are too complex or numerous to be measured in vivo, relying on direct observation using human observers increases the amount of resources required to conduct research and to monitor the effects of interventions in practice. To address this issue, we conducted a proof of concept examining whether artificial intelligence could measure vocal stereotypy in individuals with autism. More specifically, we used an artificial neural network with over 1,500 minutes of audio data from 8 different individuals to train and test models to measure vocal stereotypy. Our results showed that the artificial neural network performed adequately (i.e., session‐by‐session correlation near or above .80 with a human observer) in measuring engagement in vocal stereotypy for 6 of 8 participants. Additional research is needed to further improve the generalizability of the approach.

Effects of multiple interventions for reducing vocal stereotypy: Developing a sequential intervention model

Despite the availability of several interventions designed to reduce engagement in vocal stereotypy, few studies have compared two or more interventions together. Consequently, practitioners have limited amount of data to make informed decisions on whether an intervention may be more suitable than another to begin treating vocal stereotypy. The purpose of the study was to address this limitation by examining the direct and collateral effects of multiple interventions in 12 individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities in order to guide the development of a sequential intervention model. Using single-case experimental designs, we conducted a series of four experiments which showed that (a) noncontingent music generally produced more desirable outcomes than differential reinforcement of alternative behavior, (b) differential reinforcement of other behavior reduced vocal stereotypy in two participants for whom noncontingent music had failed to do so, (c) the addition of simple prompting procedures may enhance the effects of the interventions, and (d) the effects of noncontingent music may persist during sessions with extended durations. Based on these results, we propose a sequential intervention model to facilitate the initial and subsequent selection of an intervention most likely to reduce vocal stereotypy while producing desired collateral outcomes.

Immediate and Subsequent Effects of Matched and Unmatched Stimuli on Targeted Vocal Stereotypy and Untargeted Motor Stereotypy

The authors evaluated the effects of matched and unmatched stimuli on immediate and subsequent engagement in targeted vocal stereotypy (Experiment 1) and untargeted motor stereotypy (Experiment 2). Results of Experiment 1 showed that (a) matched stimulation decreased immediate engagement in vocal stereotypy for 8 of 11 participants and increased subsequent engagement in vocal stereotypy for only 1 of the 8 participants and (b) unmatched stimulation decreased immediate engagement in vocal stereotypy for only 1 of 10 participants and did not increase subsequent engagement in vocal stereotypy for this participant. Results of Experiment 2 showed that for 8 of 14 participants, untargeted stereotypy increased when the matched or unmatched stimulus was present, after it was removed, or both. The authors briefly discuss the potential clinical implications of using matched stimulation to decrease vocal stereotypy and limitations of the findings.

EFFECTS OF NONCONTINGENT MUSIC ON VOCAL STEREOTYPY AND TOY MANIPULATION IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

Noncontingent music has been shown to reduce engagement in vocal stereotypy in children with autism spectrum disorders, but its effects on appropriate collateral behavior remain unknown. Given that noncontingent music is typically implemented during periods of free play, clinicians may be concerned with the effects of the intervention on toy manipulation. Thus, we examined the immediate and subsequent effects of noncontingent music on engagement in vocal stereotypy and toy manipulation in four children with autism spectrum disorders by using a three‐component multiple schedule combined with a multi‐element design. The results suggest that noncontingent music (i) reduced immediate engagement in vocal stereotypy for three of four participants, (ii) never increased subsequent engagement in vocal stereotypy, and (iii) produced idiosyncratic effects on immediate and subsequent engagement in toy manipulation for two participants. The clinical implications of the results are discussed in terms of improving the treatment of vocal stereotypy using noncontingent music. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Vocal Stereotypy in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Vocal stereotypy is a common problem behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorders that may interfere considerably with learning and social inclusion. To assist clinicians in treating the behavior and to guide researchers in identifying gaps in the research literature, the authors provide an overview of research on vocal stereotypy in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Specifically, the authors review the research literature on behavioral interventions to reduce engagement in vocal stereotypy with an emphasis on the applicability of the procedures in the natural environment and discuss the clinical implications and limitations of research conducted to date. Researchers have shown that several antecedent-based and consequence-based interventions may be effective at reducing vocal stereotypy. However, the review suggests that more research is needed to assist clinicians in initially selecting interventions most likely to produce desirable changes in vocal stereotypy and collateral behavior in specific circumstances.

EFFECTS OF MUSIC ON VOCAL STEREOTYPY IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

We examined the effects of manipulating the intensity (i.e., volume) of music on engagement in vocal stereotypy in 2 children with autism. Noncontingent access to music decreased immediate engagement in vocal stereotypy for each participant, but it produced only marginal effects on subsequent engagement in the behavior (i.e., after withdrawal). Manipulating the intensity of music did not produce differential effects on immediate engagement in vocal stereotypy. The implications of the results and applications for future research are discussed.

Vocal stereotypy in children with autism: Structural characteristics, variability, and effects of auditory stimulation

Two experiments were conducted to examine (a) the relationship between the structural characteristics (i.e., bout duration, inter-response time [IRT], pitch, and energy) and overall duration of vocal stereotypy, and (b) the effects of auditory stimulation on the duration and temporal structure of the behavior. In the first experiment, we measured the structural characteristics of vocal stereotypy in five children with autism during five 30-min free-operant sessions. The results suggested that the structure of vocal stereotypy varied considerably within and across participants. Furthermore, the overall duration of vocal stereotypy was positively correlated with bout duration and negatively correlated with IRT. In the second experiment, reversal designs were used to examine the effects of noncontingent access to auditory stimulation (i.e., music) on the vocal stereotypy of three participants. Music decreased engagement in vocal stereotypy for two of the participants. The reductions were mostly associated with a considerable increase in IRT. The implications of the results are discussed in terms of measuring the structural characteristics of vocal stereotypy to identify more effective matched stimuli and using music to facilitate the implementation of other interventions.