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Teaching children with autism to detect and respond to sarcasm

APA Citation

Persicke, A., Tarbox, J., Ranick, J., & St Clair, M. (2012). Teaching children with autism to detect and respond to sarcasm. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7, 193-198.

Publication Topic
Behavior Analysis: Empirical
Education: Empirical
RFT: Empirical
Publication Type
Article
Language
English
Keyword(s)
Sarcasm, Irony, Multiple exemplar training, Relational frame theory
Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated that children with autism often have difficulty using and understanding non-literal language (e.g., irony, sarcasm, deception, humor, and metaphors). Irony and sarcasm may be especially difficult for children with autism because the meaning of an utterance is the opposite of what is stated. The current study evaluated the effectiveness of a training package, including rules and in vivo multiple exemplar training, to teach three children with autism to detect and respond appropriately to sarcastic statements. The training package was effective and generalization was obtained across novel exemplars, settings, and people.

Comments
Used an RFT-informed approach to teach kids with autism to distinguish between sarcastic and sincere comments made by others.