Peer-Mediated Pivotal Response Training

Peer-mediated Pivotal Response Training (PM-PRT) is a behavioral approach that incorporates instruction and practice opportunities on pivotal and socially significant skills (e.g., communication, playing with peers) for individuals diagnosed with developmental disorders in their everyday routines and environments. This chapter provides an overview of key components to successfully utilize the PM-PRT intervention with children in a variety of settings. The intervention includes a peer interventionist who may use selected strategies with a target student such as gaining attention, modeling, turn-taking, encouraging conversation, choice in tasks, and reinforcement of attempts during a play session. For example, the intervention may be implemented during recess and can be tailored to an individual’s target behaviors. The flexibility of PM-PRT allows it to be an effective and efficient intervention that promotes generalization across peers and settings.

Varied treatment response in young children with autism: A relative comparison of structured and naturalistic behavioral approaches

Heterogeneity of treatment response is common in children with autism spectrum disorder. Thus, many providers vary the intervention used based on child characteristics and learning domain. An improved understanding of how to match treatments to different children and domain areas may enhance efforts to individualize treatment and improve treatment response. This study evaluated the relative efficacy of discrete trial training and pivotal response training for teaching young children at risk for autism spectrum disorder receptive and expressive language, play, and imitation skills. Using a single-subject adapted alternating treatments design, children received both the treatments for 12 weeks. Data were collected during treatment and at 3-month follow-up. All participants acquired target skills in both treatments and demonstrated some generalization, maintenance, and spontaneous skill use. Pivotal response training and discrete trial training were each more effective for some children and domains. The results suggest that early rates of learning may be predictive of longer-term treatment response and useful in informing treatment decisions.

PENERAPAN PIVOTAL RESPONSE TRAINING OLEH ORANGTUA UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN JOINT ATTENTION PADA ANAK DENGAN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Anak dengan Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) menunjukkan gangguan pada joint attention yang merupakan kapasitas dalam mengkoordinasikan atensi untuk berbagi ketertarikan pada suatu objek atau kejadian/peristiwa yang ada disekelilingnya dengan sosial partner dalam suatu interaksi. Defisit joint attention tersebut menjadi ciri khas sekaligus menjadi penyebab utama gangguan komunikasi sosial pada anak dengan ASD. Intervensi yang dapat meningkatkan kemampuan joint attention pada anak dengan ASD salah satunya adalah pivotal response training (PRT). Pada intervensi ini melibatkan peran ibu sebagai terapis dalam menerapkan komponen-komponen PRT. Pada penelitian ini melihat keefektifan penerapan PRT oleh ibu untuk meningkatkan kemampuan joint attention anak dengan ASD. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa terjadi peningkatan kemampuan joint attention pada anak dengan ASD setelah diberikan intervensi PRT oleh ibu.