Quality Activities in Center-Based Programs for Adults with Autism: Moving from Nonmeaningful to Meaningful describes what constitutes meaningful versus nonpurposeful activities for adults with autism and other severe disabilities in a classroom or center-based program. Then this step-by-step guide presents an evidence-based process for changing nonpurposeful activities, using behavior analytic research and application. The goal is to help ensure adults with autism and other severe disabilities are engaged in week-day activities that truly enhance their income-earning capacity, independence with life skills, day-to-day enjoyment, and overall dignity. - Summarizes the existing state of activities for adults with autism and severe disabilities in center-based programs - Covers how to empirically assess and monitor participation in meaningful activities - Details evidence-based procedures for changing existing activities to become more meaningful - Provides maintenance strategies for ensuring activities continue to be meaningful on a daily basis

Dr. Dennis H. Reid has worked in service provision for adults with autism and other severe disabilities for over 40 years, and has published numerous journal articles and book chapters on selected aspects of adult services. Most relevant for this proposal, he has published several investigative reports on how to identify, validate, increase, and maintain meaningful activities for adults with autism and other severe disabilities in center-based and supported work settings, including in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Research in Developmental Disabilities, and Behavior Analysis in Practice.

1. Historical Challenges and Needed Improvements in Center-Based Services for Adults With Autism 2. Current Professional Consensus Regarding Meaningful Activities 3. An Evidence-Based Protocol for Improving the Meaningful Utility of Center-Based Activities 4. Specifying Criteria for Meaningful Versus Nonmeaningful Activities 5. Assessing Meaningful Versus Nonmeaningful Task Participation 6. A Staff Training and Supervision Plan to Increase Meaningful Activities 7. Maintaining Meaningful Activity Participation