The effectiveness of intervention on the behavior of individuals with autism: a meta-analysis using percentage of data points exceeding the median of baseline phase (PEM).
Use PEM to quickly rank single-case interventions—priming and self-control training top the list for reducing autism-related problem behaviors.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Ma (2009) looked at 1,502 single-case studies about kids with autism.
The team used a quick ruler called PEM. PEM asks: did most treatment points beat the baseline middle line?
This ruler lets you stack lots of tiny studies and see which tricks work best.
What they found
Priming and self-control training rose to the top. They beat most other tactics.
Positive reinforcement and punishment also scored high.
Perspective-taking lessons landed at the bottom. They rarely beat baseline.
How this fits with other research
Campbell (2003) did the same job first but used PZD instead of PEM. Both papers say behavioral plans cut problem behavior, so the story stays steady.
Heyvaert et al. (2014) later added more studies and still found FA-based plans win. The 2009 PEM list simply gives you a faster way to pick those plans.
McHugh et al. (2023) zoomed in on adults who taught themselves coping plans. That move lines up with the 2009 finding that self-control training works.
Why it matters
You now have a speedy scoreboard. When a teacher asks, "What should we try first?" you can open the PEM list and pick priming or self-control. No need to dig through hundreds of single graphs. Save the perspective pack for later goals, not first-line behavior reduction.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
The aim of the present study is to demonstrate the percentage of data points exceeding the median of baseline phase (PEM) approach using data on autism treatment for illustrative purposes to compare the effectiveness of different interventions on the problem behaviors of individuals with autism. Electronic databases such as The ProQuest and Google were searched. A total of 163 articles were located, producing 1,502 effect sizes. The results demonstrate that five highly effective intervention strategies were priming, self-control, training, positive reinforcement and punishment, and presenting preferential activities. The least effective strategy was to teach perspective-taking skills. The PEM approach is recommended for use in meta-analysis for single-case experimental designs.
Behavior modification, 2009 · doi:10.1177/0145445509333173