Introduction to the Special Issue: Interventions to Reduce Challenging Behavior Among Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder.
This editorial is a table of contents for 12 new behavior-reduction studies in autism—read it to pick the right paper for your next client.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Davis et al. (2018) wrote the opening note for a whole journal issue. The issue pulls together new work on reducing problem behavior in kids and adults with autism.
The editors gathered 12 fresh studies. Each one tests a different way to cut self-injury, aggression, or stereotypy.
What they found
The paper itself gives no data. It simply maps what is coming in the rest of the issue.
Readers get a quick list of which studies looked at DRO, NCR, punishment, or functional communication training.
How this fits with other research
Weston et al. (2018) is one of the 12 studies. That review grades 45 DRO papers and shows you how to run high-quality DRO in schools.
Sasson et al. (2018) is another study in the same issue. They found that giving one strong competing item after a competing-stimulus assessment beats rotating toys for skin picking.
Verriden et al. (2025) later built on that idea. They showed CSA-picked items still beat preference-assessment items for most kids with automatically reinforced behavior.
Smith et al. (2014) did a similar editor job for stereotypy-only papers. The 2018 issue widens the lens to all forms of challenging behavior.
Why it matters
Before you write your next behavior plan, skim the full issue. You will find ready-to-use tactics like single-item NCR, refined DRO guidelines, and updated functional assessment tips. The set gives you a one-stop menu of evidence-based options for severe behavior in autism.
Want CEUs on This Topic?
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ free CEUs — live every Wednesday. Ethics, supervision & clinical topics.
Join Free →Open the full issue, find the Regan DRO review, and copy its quality checklist into your next DRO plan.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is on the rise. In addition to the social communication skill deficits and restrictive repetitive behaviors and interests, many individuals with ASD engage in challenging behavior. Challenging behavior is associated with a multitude of negative outcomes. Challenging behavior may cause harm to the individual with ASD as well as limit opportunities for educational, vocational, and social participation and development. In addition, caregivers experience high stress and low quality of mental health. As a result, challenging behavior warrants intervention that is specifically tailored to the unique characteristics of individuals with ASD. The purpose of this Special Issue is to showcase recent research in the treatment of challenging behavior for individuals with ASD. This two-part Special Issue contains 12 studies that range from systematic and quality reviews of the intervention literature, to innovative treatment approaches, to studies that develop and evaluate treatments for restrictive and repetitive behaviors and interests.
Behavior modification, 2018 · doi:10.1177/0145445518763851