Simplified intensive tact instruction and bidirectional and incidental naming in autistic children

Abstract

The consolidation of Bidirectional Naming (BiN) as the generalized behavioral relation of Incidental Bidirectional Naming (Inc-BiN) is considered fundamental for effective language development. Previous research has shown that Intensive Tact Instruction (ITI), consisting of 100 trials per day implemented three times a week, induced BiN and Inc-BiN in two autistic children. This study evaluated the effects of ITI with 50 daily trials, administered three times per week, on the induction of BiN and Inc-BiN in three autistic children. Participants underwent pretests for BiN and Inc-BiN, ITI sessions, posttests for BiN and Inc-BiN, as well as generalization and maintenance tests for BiN and Inc-BiN. Results showed that, following ITI with up to three stimulus sets, only one participant demonstrated the emergence of BiN, and none demonstrated the emergence of Inc-BiN. The need for further investigation into parametric variations in the implementation of ITI is discussed (e.g., the number of daily or weekly trials and stimulus sets), also considering factors such as the participants' initial verbal repertoire, the reinforcing functions of antecedent and social consequence stimuli, the reinforcing function of observation responses to stimuli, and the impact of requiring or restricting echoic responses.