Autism spectrum disorder is a medical condition that is recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and is categorized by deficits in communication, social skills, as well as restrictive and repetitive behaviors. ASD can look very different in every person diagnosed with it and many autistic people have vastly different needs. Though there is no cure, the quality of life of individuals with ASD can definitely be improved via behavioral, psychological, and educational interventions such as ABA.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is based on the science of behavior. It has significantly increased language and communication skills and helped improve attention, social skills, memory, and focus in many individuals, including those with ASD.
Diving deep into ABA, one of its comprehensive approaches is the PEAK (Promoting Emergence of Advanced Knowledge) relational training system, created in 2008 by Dr. Mark Dixon.
What is PEAK relational training?
PEAK is an evidence-based assessment offering a corresponding curriculum guide that teaches basic and advanced language skills from a behavior-analytic approach. Scroll down this read to learn more about the modules of PEAK training and how it helps people with Autism and other developmental disabilities.
PEAK training not only assesses but also provides methods to teach language and cognitive abilities. It addresses various skills, such as conversational skills, expressive language, receptive language, and problem-solving.
PEAK training ultimately helps achieve derived responding. Derived responding is a process responsible for the ability to interpret expressions voluntarily and to understand the meaning of different words. Learning through derived responding strengthens an individual's ability to make connections between different concepts.
Modules of PEAK
1. Direct training
This module teaches skills a child may lack, such as labeling objects in the environment, asking for preferred objects, attending to a teacher, etc. The training serves as the foundation to help a child build more complex communication skills.
2. Generalization
The generalization module focuses on extending cognitive and behavioral skills that the individual has already learned to new people, settings, and materials. It improves various capabilities, such as silent reading, counting money, and crucial social skills.
3. Equivalence
The equivalence module significantly indirectly teaches symbolic language in addition to new concepts. The goal is to help individuals learn new concepts without direct reinforcement. Learners are first taught to match identical images/objects using different sense modalities (touch, sight, etc.). This helps them associate words with their true purpose.
Later, learners are taught to interpret new and acquired cognitive skills. For example, if they have learned the word ‘dog,’ they may be taught that dogs are friendly and that approaching them is not harmful as long as the owner gives permission.
4. Transformation
This module focuses on developing reasoning and problem-solving skills so learners can learn to think using perspectives other than their own.For example, the training enables learners to compare that dolphins to sharks in terms of friendliness. They might then act as dolphins to depict their friendliness. Hence, individuals learn new skills in creative ways.
How does PEAK help people with autism?
Some individuals with autism may exhibit communication skills and abstract thinking deficits in addition to having a weak memory, PEAK helps them in the following ways:
- It focuses on problem-solving skills and helps individuals to think critically rather than memorize answers.
- It helps develop learning and behavioral skills.
- It creates a framework for developing, teaching, and reinforcing desired behavior.
- It trains the individuals to utilize the information taught and apply it to various environments.
- It extensively uses traditional verbal behaviors that promote the ability to understand and effectively use abstract language.
Using PEAK Relational Training System in Motivity
Here are the key features of using PEAK Relational Training System on Motivity:
- PEAK Programming Templates: Motivity offers pre-made program templates aligned with PEAK principles and scoring criteria, streamlining structured learning program implementation.
- Structured Teaching and Testing: The platform uses initial stimuli for systematic skill teaching. Learners who achieve a score of 10 on 9 out of 10 stimuli across two blocks transition to the test phase.
- Scoring and Progress Criteria: Progress is measured against set criteria. If a learner scores below the required threshold during teaching blocks, additional sessions are provided to ensure comprehension before moving to the test phase.
- Transition and Assessment: Upon meeting teaching criteria, Motivity introduces new stimuli during the test phase. Responses are recorded as successful (+) or unsuccessful (-), allowing for continuous evaluation and adjustment of the learning program.
Example from the Program:
In this video demonstration, the program focuses on "clothing identification." The learner, Nora, interacts with stimuli like identifying a dress and a shirt. When Nora achieves the required score, she transitions to the test phase using novel stimuli. For instance, she correctly identifies pants and a shirt in the test phase, receiving immediate feedback. If she scores below 100%, the program transitions back to the teaching phase, ensuring mastery.
This structured approach ensures that the learner not only acquires the skill but also can generalize it to new situations, enhancing overall learning outcomes.
Takeaway
PEAK training is an effective behavior-analytic tool that not only assesses but also focuses on teaching the language and cognitive abilities to individuals with autism and other developmental disorders. This intervention is a great way to help people with autism improve their communication, sensory processing, and motor skills.
To learn more about PEAK, go to the source: https://www.peak2aba.com/
