Skip to main content

Part of the book series: Autism and Child Psychopathology Series ((ACPS))

Abstract

This chapter describes a general overview of the PEAK Relational Training System and a brief summary of the empirical and conceptual publications that have followed its release. We describe a total of 61 peer-reviewed papers on PEAK, categorize such by the type of study, provide general outcomes, and discuss future areas for research. In summary, PEAK appears to have amassed a fair amount of evidence on effectiveness, and continued research will only strengthen the overall impact the program can have for persons with autism and related conditions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 299.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ackley, M., Subramanian, J. W., Moore, J. W., Litten, S., Lundy, M. P., & Bishop, S. K. (2019). A review of language development protocols for individuals with autism. Journal of Behavioral Education, 28(3), 362–388. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-019-09327-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes-Holmes, Y., Kavanagh, D., & Murphy, C. (2016). Relational frame theory: Implications for education and developmental disabilities. In the Wiley handbook of contextual behavioral science (pp. 227–253). Wiley Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barron, B. F., Paliliunas, D., & Dixon, M. R. (2020). Evaluation of the PEAK-DT and PEAK-G pre-assessments: Comparing directly implemented and indirect assessments of verbal abilities. Journal of Behavioral Education, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-019-09362-5

  • Barron, B. F., Verkuylen, L., Belisle, J., Paliliunas, D., & Dixon, M. R. (2019). Teaching “then-later” and “here-there” relations to children with autism: An evaluation of single reversals and transformation of stimulus function. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 12(1), 167–175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-018-0216-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beaujean, A. A., & Farmer, R. L. (2020). Conceptual and methodological concerns: A commentary on “randomized controlled trial evaluation of ABA content on IQ gains in children with autism”. Journal of Behavioral Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-020-09408-z

  • Belisle, J., Clark, L., Welch, K., & McDonald, N. R. (2021). Synthesizing the multiple-probe experimental design with the PEAK relational training system in applied settings. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-020-00520-0

  • Belisle, J., & Dixon, M. R. (2020). Rational skepticism: A scientific review of Witts’ (2018) criticisms of the PEAK relational training system. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(2), 620–634. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.654

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belisle, J., Dixon, M. R., Alholai, A., Ellenberger, L., Stanley, C., & Galliford, M. (2020). Teaching children with autism to tact the private events of others. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 13(1), 169–173. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-019-00334-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belisle, J., Dixon, M. R., Munoz, B. E., & Fricke-Steuber, K. (2021). The convergent validity of the PEAK-E-PA and two common assessments of language development: The ABLLS-R and the TOLD 1: 4. Journal of Behavioral Education, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-020-09426-x

  • Belisle, J., Dixon, M. R., & Stanley, C. R. (2018). The mediating effects of derived relational responding on the relationship between verbal operant development and IQ. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 11(4), 411–416. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-018-0215-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belisle, J., Dixon, M. R., Stanley, C. R., Munoz, B., & Daar, J. H. (2016). Teaching foundational perspective-taking skills to children with autism using the PEAK-T curriculum: Single-reversal “I–you” deictic frames. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 49(4), 965–969. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belisle, J., Huggins, K., Doherty, M., Stanley, C. R., & Dixon, M. R. (2020). Generalized reflexive responding and cross-modal tactile transfer of stimulus function in children with autism. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 36(2), 233–250. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40616-020-00137-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belisle, J., Paliliunas, D., & Dixon, M. R. (2021). Emergent entailed analogical reasoning of “same,” “different,” and “opposite” in children with disabilities. Journal of Behavioral Education, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-021-09438-1

  • Belisle, J., Paliliunas, D., Lauer, T., Giamanco, A., Lee, B., & Sickman, E. (2020). Derived relational responding and transformations of function in children: A review of applied behavior-analytic journals. The Analysis of verbal behavior, 36(1), 115–145. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40616-019-00123-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belisle, J., Rowsey, K. E., & Dixon, M. R. (2016). The use of in situ behavioral skills training to improve staff implementation of the PEAK relational training system. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 36(1), 71–79. https://doi.org/10.1080/01608061.2016.1152210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belisle, J., Stanley, C. R., Alholail, A. M., Galliford, M. E., & Dixon, M. R. (2019). Abstraction of tactile properties by individuals with autism and down syndrome using a picture-based communication system. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 52(2), 467–475. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.526

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belisle, J., Stanley, C. R., & Dixon, M. R. (2017). The relationship between derived mutually entailed relations and the function of challenging behavior in children with autism: Comparing the PEAK-E-PA and the QABF. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 6(3), 298–307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2017.07.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belisle, J., Stanley, C. R., Schmick, A., Dixon, M. R., Alholail, A., Galliford, M. E., & Ellenberger, L. (2020). Establishing arbitrary comparative relations and referential transformations of stimulus function in individuals with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(2), 938–955. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.655

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cassidy, S., Roche, B., & O’Hora, D. (2010). Relational frame theory and human intelligence. European Journal of Behavior Analysis, 11(1), 37–51. https://doi.org/10.1080/15021149.2010.11434333

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daar, J. H., Negrelli, S., & Dixon, M. R. (2015). Derived emergence of WH question–answers in children with autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 19, 59–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2015.06.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R. (2014a). PEAK relational training system: Direct training module. Shawnee Scientific Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R. (2014b). PEAK relational training system: Generalization module. Shawnee Scientific Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R. (2015). PEAK relational training system: Equivalence module. Shawnee Scientific Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R. (2016). PEAK relational training system: Transformation module. Shawnee Scientific Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R. (2019). PEAK comprehensive assessment. Shawnee Scientific Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., Belisle, J., Hayes, S. C., Stanley, C. R., Blevins, A., Gutknecht, K. F., Partlo, A., Ryan, L., & Lucas, C. (2021). Evidence from children with autism that derived relational responding is a generalized operant. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-020-00425-y

  • Dixon, M. R., Belisle, J., McKeel, A., Whiting, S., Speelman, R., Daar, J. H., & Rowsey, K. (2017). An internal and critical review of the PEAK relational training system for children with autism and related intellectual disabilities: 2014–2017. The Behavior Analyst, 40(2), 493–521. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-017-0119-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., Belisle, J., Rowsey, K. E., Speelman, R. C., Stanley, C. R., & Kime, D. (2017). Evaluating emergent naming relations through representational drawing in individuals with developmental disabilities using the PEAK-E curriculum. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 17(1), 92. https://doi.org/10.1037/bar0000055

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., Belisle, J., Stanley, C., Rowsey, K., Daar, J. H., & Szekely, S. (2015). Toward a behavior analysis of complex language for children with autism: Evaluating the relationship between PEAK and the VB-MAPP. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 27(2), 223–233. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-014-9410-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., Belisle, J., & Stanley, C. R. (2018). Derived relational responding and intelligence: Assessing the relationship between the PEAK-E pre-assessment and IQ with individuals with autism and related disabilities. The Psychological Record, 68(4), 419–430. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40732-018-0284-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R. (2015). PEAK relational training system: Equivalence module. Shawnee Scientific Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., Belisle, J., Stanley, C. R., Daar, J. H., & Williams, L. A. (2016). Derived equivalence relations of geometry skills in students with autism: An application of the PEAK-E curriculum. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 32(1), 38–45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40616-016-0051-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., Belisle, J., Stanley, C. R., Munoz, B. E., & Speelman, R. C. (2017). Establishing derived coordinated symmetrical and transitive gustatory-visual-auditory relations in children with autism and related intellectual disabilities using the PEAK-E curriculum. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 6(1), 91–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2016.11.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., Belisle, J., Stanley, C. R., & Rowsey, K. (2018). Student outcomes after 1 year of front line staff implementation of the PEAK curriculum. Behavioral Interventions, 33(2), 185–195. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1516

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., Belisle, J., Stanley, C. R., Speelman, R. C., Rowsey, K. E., Kime, D., & Daar, J. H. (2017). Establishing derived categorical responding in children with disabilities using the PEAK-E curriculum. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 50(1), 134–145. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.355

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., Belisle, J., Whiting, S. W., & Rowsey, K. E. (2014). Normative sample of the PEAK relational training system: Direct training module and subsequent comparisons to individuals with autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 8(11), 1597–1606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2014.07.020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., Blevins, A., Belisle, J., & Bethel, B. (2019). Teaching children with autism extended verbal utterances under audience control in the context of show-and-tell. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 12(1), 194–198. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-018-0250-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., Carman, J., Tyler, P. A., Whiting, S. W., Enoch, M. R., & Daar, J. H. (2014). PEAK relational training system for children with autism and developmental disabilities: Correlations with Peabody picture vocabulary test and assessment reliability. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 26(5), 603–614. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-014-9384-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., McCord, B. E., & Belisle, J. (2018). A demonstration of higher-order response class development in children. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 51(3), 590–595. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., Paliliunas, D., Barron, B. F., Schmick, A. M., & Stanley, C. R. (2019). Randomized controlled trial evaluation of ABA content on IQ gains in children with autism. Journal of Behavioral Education.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-019-09344-7

  • Dixon, M. R., Peach, J., Daar, J. H., & Penrod, C. (2017). Teaching complex verbal operants to children with autism and establishing generalization using the PEAK curriculum. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 50(2), 317–331. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.373

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., Rowsey, K. E., Gunnarsson, K. F., Belisle, J., Stanley, C. R., & Daar, J. H. (2017). Normative sample of the PEAK relational training system: Generalization module with comparison to individuals with autism. Journal of Behavioral Education, 26(1), 101–122. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-016-9261-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., Speelman, R. C., Rowsey, K. E., & Belisle, J. (2016). Derived rule-following and transformations of stimulus function in a children’s game: An application of PEAK-E with children with developmental disabilities. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 5(3), 186–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2016.05.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., Stanley, C., Belisle, J., Galliford, M. E., Alholail, A., & Schmick, A. M. (2017). Establishing derived equivalence relations of basic geography skills in children with autism. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 33(2), 290–295. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40616-017-0084-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., & Stanley, C. R. (2020). PEAK relational training system. In F. R. Volkmar (Ed.), Encyclopedia of autism Spectrum disorders. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_102280-1

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., Stanley, C. R., Belisle, J., & Rowsey, K. E. (2016). The test-retest and interrater reliability of the promoting the emergence of advanced knowledge-direct training assessment for use with individuals with autism and related disabilities. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 16(1), 34. https://doi.org/10.1037/bar0000027

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., Whiting, S. W., Rowsey, K., & Belisly, J. (2014). Assessing the relationship between intelligence and the PEAK relational training system. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 8(9), 1208–1213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2014.05.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M. R., Wiggins, S. H., & Belisle, J. (2018). The effectiveness of the PEAK relational training system and corresponding changes on the VB-MAPP for young adults with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 51(2), 321–334. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.448

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunkel-Jackson, S. M., & Dixon, M. R. (2018). Promoting generalized advanced language skills of children in intensive behavioral intervention with promoting the emergence of advanced knowledge generalization module (PEAK–G). Behavior Analysis in Practice, 11(4), 289–306. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-017-0204-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hahs, A. D., & Jarynowski, J. (2019). Targeting staff treatment integrity of the PEAK relational training system using behavioral skills training. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 12(1), 209–215. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-018-00278-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., Barnes-Holmes, D., & Roche, B. (2001). Relational frame theory: A post-Skinnerian account of human language and cognition. Springer Science & Business Media.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Malkin, A., Dixon, M. R., Speelman, R. C., & Luke, N. (2017). Evaluating the relationships between the PEAK relational training system–direct training module, assessment of basic language and learning skills–revised, and the Vineland adaptive behavior scales–II. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 29(2), 341–351. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-016-9527-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • May, B. K., & Flake, L. (2019). PEAK pre-assessments: Preliminary evidence establishing internal consistency and construct validity. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 12(3), 627–631. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-018-00318-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • May, B. K., & St. Cyr, J. (2021). The impact of the PEAK curriculum on standardized measures of intelligence: A systems level randomized control trial. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders.https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-021-00199-6

  • McKeel, A., Dixon, M. R., Daar, J. H., Rowsey, K. E., & Szekely, S. (2015). Evaluating the efficacy of the PEAK relational training system using a randomized controlled trial of children with autism. Journal of Behavioral Education, 24(2), 230–241. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-015-9219-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKeel, A., & Matas, J. (2017). Utilizing PEAK relational training system to teach visual, gustatory, and auditory relations to adults with developmental disabilities. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 10(3), 252–260. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-017-0194-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKeel, A., Rowsey, K., Dixon, M. R., & Daar, J. H. (2015). Correlation between PEAK relational training system and one-word picture vocabulary tests. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 12, 34–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2014.12.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKeel, A., Rowsey, K. E., Belisle, J., Dixon, M. R., & Szekely, S. (2015). Teaching complex verbal operants with the PEAK relational training system. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 8(2), 241–244. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-015-0067-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, J. L., Yi, Z., Hinman, J. M., Barron, B. F., & Dixon, M. R. (2020). Examining the convergent validity between the PEAK relational training System’s semi-standardized and standardized skill assessments. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-020-09771-9

  • Moore, J. W., Rizer, H. B., Warren, L. K., Yeager, M. G., Brewer, R. R., Barker, L. K., Newborne, B., Russo, K. L., & Potter, M. (2019). An initial evaluation of an assessment method for the PEAK relational system direct training module. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-019-00387-w

  • Mullen, S., Dixon, M. R., Belisle, J., & Stanley, C. (2017). Establishing auditory-tactile-visual equivalence classes in children with autism and developmental delays. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 33(2), 283–289. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40616-017-0092-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Connor, M. T., Belisle, J., Stanley, C. R., & Dixon, M. R. (2020). Establishing multiple-control responding of children with autism to people and emotions in context by utilizing derived stimulus relations. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 13(1), 192–196. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-019-00339-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Padilla, K. L. (2020). Global assessment use and practices in applied behavior analysis: Surveying the field. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 79, 101676. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2020.101676

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Partington, J. W. (2010). The assessment of basic language and learning skills - revised. Behavior Analysts.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reed, D. D., & Luiselli, J. K. (2016). Promoting the emergence of advanced knowledge: A review of peak relational training system: Direct training module by mark R. Dixon. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 49(1), 205–211. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowsey, K. E., Belisle, J., & Dixon, M. R. (2015). Principal component analysis of the PEAK relational training system. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 27(1), 15–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-014-9398-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowsey, K. E., Belisle, J., Stanley, C. R., Daar, J. H., & Dixon, M. R. (2017). Principal component analysis of the PEAK generalization module. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 29(3), 489–501. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-017-9539-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmick, A. M., Stanley, C. R., & Dixon, M. R. (2018). Teaching children with autism to identify private events of others in context. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 11(4), 400–405. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-018-0214-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sidman, M. (1971). Reading and auditory-visual equivalences. Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 14(1), 5–13. https://doi.org/10.1044/jshr.1401.05

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stanley, C. R., Belisle, J., & Dixon, M. R. (2018). Equivalence-based instruction of academic skills: Application to adolescents with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 51(2), 352–359. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.446

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sundberg, M. L. (2008). VB-MAPP: Verbal behavior milestones assessment and placement program. AVB Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutton, A., Pikula, A., Yi, Z., & Dixon, M. R. (2021). Evaluating the convergent validity of the PEAK comprehensive Assessment (PCA): Intelligence, behavior challenges, and autism symptom severity. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-021-09814-9

  • Witts, B. N. (2018). An external review of the conclusions regarding the peak direct training module. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 51(3), 719–737. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.491

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yi, Z., Schreiber, J. B., Paliliunas, D., Barron, B. F., & Dixon, M. R. (2021). P <.05 is in the eye of the beholder: A response to Beaujean and Farmer (2020). Journal of Behavioral Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-021-09435-4

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Dixon, M.R., Yi, Z., Chastain, A.N. (2022). PEAK Relational Training System. In: Leaf, J.B., Cihon, J.H., Ferguson, J.L., Weiss, M.J. (eds) Handbook of Applied Behavior Analysis Interventions for Autism. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-96478-8_18

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics