Facilitating Generalization
or Transfer of Skills
• Generalizing a skill (across settings,
persons, situations, and time) is often
a problem for individuals with autism
• Although they may be able to acquire a skill
in one situation, the performance of a skill
in multiple setting does not transfer readily
for the autistic person
• After a skill has be acquired in one setting,
then the skill needs to be performed in
different settings or environments with the
instructor or coach present to cue as needed
For example:
To teach a child to generalize the principle of walking across the street, it must be taught in many different locations. If s/he is taught in only one location, the child will think that the rule only applies to one specific place.
A. From a Behavioral Perspective
1. Reinforce the performance of social skills in the
natural environment
2. Train with multiple persons & in multiple setting
3. Ensure the presence & delivery of natural
reinforcers (positive experiences) for the
performance of social skills
4. Practice the skill in the natural environment
5. Fade prompts as quickly as feasible
6. Provide multiple scenarios & examples for
social rules and concepts
7. Teach self monitoring strategies
8. Provide "booster sessions" or extra
practice opportunities
B. Cognitive Perspective
1. Encourage application of skills in multiple
situations (have the child brainstorm other
situations)
2. Increase mastery of skill performance
3. Encourage & facilitate an interest in interacting
with others and developing relationships
4. Build self-efficacy related to social performance
5. Provide information on why the skill is useful
Two possible reasons why
Generalization does not occur:
1. The person does not recognize that a skill that
s/he has learned can be used in a new situation
2. May recognized that the skill can be used, but
has difficulty using it because s/he lacks
mastery of the skill
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