Speaker Series: Elizabeth Sansing, M.S., BCBA, LBA

Observational learning (OL) allows one to acquire novel behaviors by observing the behavior of others and discriminating the consequences those behaviors produced1. It therefore multiplies learning opportunities for an individual beyond those provided through direct experience with operant contingencies. Unfortunately, OL is often deficient for students with autism spectrum disorder2 (ASD) To establish OL, previous researchers have investigated the component skills necessary to promote OL and have evaluated methods to teach this complex operant. To extend this literature, we taught component skills to three children with ASD across three play-based tasks using videotaped models. We examined the direct and indirect effects of training by assessing OL during both in-vivo and videotaped model conditions across tasks and task variations. Results for each participant will be discussed. In addition, implications of these findings regarding stimulus control and directions for future research on OL will be discussed. Objectives:

1. Define observational learning

2. Describe the advantages of establishing an observational learning repertoire for students

3. Describe the component skills of observational learning and methods to teach them

Elizabeth Sansing (she/her/hers) is a third-year doctoral student in Health Services Research with a concentration in Behavior Analysis at the University of North Texas (UNT) under the mentorship of Dr. Karen Toussaint. Elizabeth received a Master of Science degree in Behavior Analysis at UNT in 2017. She has teaching and clinical experience and has worked as a BCBA for two years at the UNT Kristin Farmer Autism Center. In 2018, Elizabeth received the James L. Kopp Memorial Scholarship and an award for the Student Poster Competition, both through the Texas Association for Behavior Analysis. Her research interests include observational learning and instructional design. In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys running, hiking, kayaking, biking, climbing, camping, and all things outdoors.