The Use of Simulated Training and Music Lessons in Teaching Appropriate Shopping Skills to an Autistic Child

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of simulated training and music lesson reinforcement on the shopping skills of an autistic girl and her ability to transfer there skills to an actual grocery store setting. Behaviors chosen were (a) touching merchandise and (b) proximity to the therapist. Each skill was introduced individually while criteria became progressively more difficult over an 11 day period. Piano lessons were used as reinforcement for successful shopping trials. After 9 days the child was taken to a real grocery store where all selected inappropriate shopping behaviors had been completely eliminated.