Functional Analysis and Treatment of Repetitive Verbal Behavior in Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Repetitive verbal behavior presents a unique challenge to researchers and clinicians as the topography of the behavior often appears to be a mand for information or tangibles; however, the repetitive nature of the behavior indicates otherwise. The purpose of the current study was to (a) extend the application of functional analysis (FA) methodology to identify the functionally related variables of the repetitive verbal behavior (requests for information and/or requests for tangibles) of three children with autism spectrum disorder and (b) verify results of the FA during a function-based intervention evaluation. Results of the FA showed that the repetitive verbal behavior of the three participants was maintained by access to adult attention instead of access to information or tangibles. Using this information, we taught the participants to mand for attention during functional communication training. Results of the functional communication training demonstrated a reduction in the repetitive verbal behavior and an increase in mands for attention.