Teaching Precursor Fire Safety Evacuation Skills to Young Children With Autism: Using Behavioral Skills Training at Home

It is important for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to learn how to respond successfully to safety threats. When given behavioral skills training (BST), children with and without ASD have demonstrated gains in safety responding skills. Although the prevalence of ASD has risen, few studies exist on the acquisition of fire safety skills for children with ASD. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if an intervention using BST for teaching a precursor fire alarm evacuation procedure was effective for children with ASD in acquiring, maintaining, and generalizing the procedure. This study built on current literature by utilizing a multiple baseline design across participants. Findings showed that the BST procedure was effective for three of four participants. Two participants demonstrated generalization of skills learned, and three participants maintained skills after 4 weeks. Overall, interventionists and parents found the study procedures and skills targeted meaningful, effective, and appropriate. Implications, future research, and limitations are discussed.