Using Task Interspersal to Improve Learning and Skill Generalization in Autism

Zorel Morales

Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation

College: College of Education

Major: MA.SPED/ABA/ASD/OPT

Faculty Research Mentor: Sarokoff, Randi  

Abstract:

Teaching children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to acquire and generalize new skills remains a central challenge in applied behavior analysis. Task interspersal, a procedure that alternates mastered and unmastered tasks during instruction, has been shown to facilitate acquisition during identical matching-to-sample (MTS) tasks. However, its effectiveness when applied to more complex non-identical matching responses has not been systematically evaluated, and limited research has examined whether skills acquired under this arrangement generalize across stimulus modalities. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of task interspersal on acquisition of non-identical two-dimensional (2D) MTS skills and to examine subsequent generalization to novel 2D stimuli and three-dimensional (3D) object matching.A single-subject, multiple-baseline across categories design is used with a child diagnosed with ASD. Non-identical 2D MTS targets are taught across three stimulus categories: foods, school supplies, and kitchen utensils. During intervention, unmastered targets are interspersed with mastered targets in a 1:1 ratio. Correct responses to unmastered trials produce praise and reinforcement, whereas correct responses to mastered trials produce praise only. The primary dependent measure is the percentage of correct responding on unmastered trials. Generalization probes are conducted without reinforcement, prompting, or corrective feedback.It is hypothesized that task interspersal will improve acquisition of non-identical 2D matching skills and that these skills will generalize to novel 2D stimuli and 3D object matching without direct instruction. Findings may inform instructional sequencing and generalization of programming in applied behavior-analytic practice.Keywords: Task Interspersal, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Applied Behavior Analysis