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A Synthesis of Script Fading Effects With Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A 20-Year Review

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Abstract

One of the defining characteristics of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a severe deficit in the area of social communication. Script fading interventions are used to promote language development and are associated with an increase in novel language for individuals with ASD. Sixteen single-case design studies of script fading interventions were synthesized between the years of 1993 and 2013. Results of the reviewed research indicate that script fading is used with children ages 2 through 15, with the majority of studies conducted in clinical settings. We conclude that script fading is an empirically supported treatment (What Works Clearinghouse 2014) and is an evidence-based practice (Wong et al. 2013). Implications and future directions for research are proposed.

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References marked with an asterisk indicate studies included in this systematic review

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by Grant ASSERT/Granite School District Autism Project, Grant ASSERT/Nebo School District Autism Project, the Utah State Office of Education, and Grant A27961 from the Office of Special Education Programs. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funding agencies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA

    Jessica S. Akers

  2. San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA

    Nicole Pyle & Daniel Pyle

  3. Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA

    Thomas S. Higbee & Kristina R. Gerencser

Authors
  1. Jessica S. Akers
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  2. Nicole Pyle
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  3. Thomas S. Higbee
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  4. Daniel Pyle
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  5. Kristina R. Gerencser
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Correspondence to Jessica S. Akers.

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Conflict of Interest

Author A declares that he/she has no conflict of interest. Author B declares that he/she has no conflict of interest. Author C declares that he/she has no conflict of interest. Author D declares that he/she has no conflict of interest. Author E declares that he/she has no conflict of interest.

Research Involving Human Participants and/or Animals

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was not obtained because informed consent is not applicable in this systematic review of previously published manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.

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Akers, J.S., Pyle, N., Higbee, T.S. et al. A Synthesis of Script Fading Effects With Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A 20-Year Review. Rev J Autism Dev Disord 3, 1–17 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-015-0062-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-015-0062-9

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