Components of treatment program were replicated from a 2003 study conducted by Whalen and Schreibman to increase the consistency of joint attention behaviors in a 4-year-old child with autism. A multiple baseline across behaviors was implemented to increase consistency in 1) eye contact to obtain a preferred item or activity, 2) following an adult’s point, 3) following an adult’s gaze, and 4) coordinated gaze shift. Results indicated that the intervention was effective in increasing following a point (from64.8 % to 98.8 %), following a gaze (from 33 %to 85.7 %), and coordinated gaze shift (from 19.6 % to 45.5 %). Although selected behaviors increased to mastery criteria after treatment was introduced, response rate decreased back to baseline levels across all behaviors following a three-week post-intervention period where the participant was not receiving any services. Possible factors for diminished responses and future considerations are described.
