Quality Activities in Center-Based Programs for Adults with Autism: Moving from Nonmeaningful to Meaningful

By Dennis H. Reid and Marsha B. Parsons

Quality Activities in Center-Based Programs for Adults with Autism: Moving from Nonmeaningful to Meaningful describes what constitutes meaningful versus nonpurposeful activities for adults with autism and other severe disabilities in a classroom or center-based program. Then this step-by-step guide presents an evidence-based process for changing nonpurposeful activities, using behavior analytic research and application. The goal is to help ensure adults with autism and other severe disabilities are engaged in week-day activities that truly enhance their income-earning capacity, independence with life skills, day-to-day enjoyment, and overall dignity.

• Summarizes the existing state of activities for adults with autism and severe disabilities in center-based programs
• Covers how to empirically assess and monitor participation in meaningful activities
• Details evidence-based procedures for changing existing activities to become more meaningful
• Provides maintenance strategies for ensuring activities continue to be meaningful on a daily basis

• Language: English
• Publisher: Academic Press
• Release date: Aug 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9780128121672

Dennis H. Reid

Dennis H. Reid is the founder and director of the Carolina Behavior Analysis and Support Center. His company has more than 25 years of experience providing assisted employment to persons with severe disabilities. Dr. Dennis Reid has more than 45 years of experience working with individuals with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, in educational, residential, vocational, and community support settings. He has provided advice to human services organizations in most US states, as well as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. He has written or co-written 15 books and more than 140 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters on applied behavior analysis. He earned the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities International Research Award in 2006 and Fellowship membership in the Association for Behavior Analysis International in 2007.

Book preview