Behaviour Analytic Theories of Autism Spectrum Disorder

The current review of behaviourally based theories of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) outlines the historical background to the development of behavioural accounts of ASD and focuses on six different behavioural theories of ASD: positive reinforcement of deficits (Ferster, Child Dev 32:437–456, 1961); comprehensive theory of ASD (Lovaas and Smith, J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 20:17–29, 1989); contingency-shaped disordered verbal behaviour (Drash & Tudor, 2004); behaviour interference theory (Bijou & Ghezzi, 1999); stimulus control problems (Spradlin & Brady, 1999); and comparator theory (Reed, 2011). In doing do, it adds to the literature focused on theoretical developments in the field, primarily serving to illustrate the wide-ranging nature of behavioural accounts and to provide a commentary on the degree to which these theories accommodate the features of ASD. The review suggests that none of the behavioural theories of ASD are fully successful in accommodating the range of presenting issues seen for ASD and that it is unlikely that any one view, behaviourally based or not, will be enough to explain ASD. However, all six approaches lend themselves to the development of interventions in ways that other theoretical approaches do not, and some of their key features—such as a focus on modifiable aspects of the environment, and/or the learning process—are central to this application.