Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – BackgroundAutism is a brain disorder that begins in childhood and is characterized by deficits insocial interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. In addition to the definingfeatures, individuals with ASD usually also have intellectual disabilities, physical healthissues, difficulties with motor skills and problems of attention. A diagnosis of autism isnot always entirely clear. There is no medical test that can diagnose autism. Instead,trained psychologists and physicians use behavioral measures and follow criteriaestablished in the DSM by the American Psychiatric Association. In some cases,individuals with ASD excel in math, art, music, or visual skills. It is unclear exactly whatcauses ASD. The most recent research points to a combination of factors includinggenetic markers and environmental stressors.Behavior Analysis – BackgroundAs early as the 1960s, psychologists, therapists, and other professionals began workingwith children with autism and developmental disabilities to help increase usefulbehaviors and reduce those behaviors that caused harm or interfered with learning.These techniques were built on theories classical and operant conditioning purported byIvan Pavlov, John Watson, and B. F. Skinner in the early 20th Century. Throughdecades of study and research, these techniques have been refined and developed tobecome what is now known as the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA).Applied Behavior AnalysisDifferential reinforcement is a method used by ABA professionals to reinforceappropriate alternative behaviors. In other words, instead of kicking someone, a child isable to express their anger and frustration in an appropriate and effective way – withouthurting anyone. This would be the alternative behavior that you would want to reinforceas an ABA professional.When using differential reinforcement, there are different types or kinds of reinforcementthat can be used. They are as follows: differential reinforcement of alternative behavior,differential reinforcement of other behavior, and differential reinforcement ofincompatible behavior.Here is how they differ:DRA = differential reinforcement of alternative behaviors. With this approach, thereinforcement is given for a behavior that serves as a desirable alternative to theproblem behavior (e.g., instead of kicking, the child expresses their anger andfrustration appropriately), and is withheld when the problem behavior is present(reinforcement is not given when the child kicks).DRI = differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviors. With this method, decreasingthe problem or target behavior is the goal. Reinforcement is given for a behavior that istopographically incompatible with the behavior targeted for reduction (e.g., sitting in theseat versus getting up and out of the seat while in class), and withheld followinginstances of the problem behavior (e.g. out of seat behavior).DRO = differential reinforcement of other behavior. With this method, reinforcement isgiven when the problem behavior is absent during a specific time. For example, if thechild does not kick others for 1 hour during recess. This method is also sometimescalled differential reinforcement of zero rates of responding or omission training.AssignmentImagine you are a behavior analyst tasked with designing a behavioral intervention foran 8-year old male child with an ASD diagnosis.-The child is in a special education classroom with an assistant.-He is verbal, although his language skills are impaired, and-he has moderate intellectual impairment.-He often has difficulty staying on task.-In addition, he has trouble with aggressive behaviors and social interaction (verbal andphysical).-How would you design an intervention for the child that can be used by both theclassroom assistant and the teacher?Your goals:– are to engage the child in learning,– reduce aggressive behaviors, and-improve social interaction, both verbal and physical.– Be sure to mention all of the following terms and techniques in your plan (even if youchoose not to use them all): behavioral ABC’s,– Reinforcement (differential reinforcement of alternative behavior – DRA,– Differential reinforcement of other behavior – DRO,And– differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior – DRI),– Punishment, extinction, stimulus generalization, stimulus discrimination, continuousreinforcement, intermittent reinforcement, and shaping.Your paper should:• Be three to five pages (3–5 pages) in length.• Include references. You may use your textbook and/or any other academic sources asreferences. Do not use dictionaries, encyclopedias, general information websites orother non-academic sources.• Follow Assignment directions (review grading rubric for best results).• Use correct APA formatting per the APA Publication Manual, 6th Edition.• Demonstrate college-level communication through the composition of originalmaterials in Standard American English.• Be written in Standard American English and be clear, specific, and error-free. Ifneeded, be sure to use the Kaplan University Writing Center for help