Teach Pivotal Behaviors
Koegel and his colleagues recommend targeting pivotal behaviors , or behaviors that are central to many areas of functioning (Mohammadzaheri, Koegel, Rezaei, & Bakhshi, 2015). Pivotal behaviors serve a similar purpose in a variety of areas of functioning, including social functioning (Koegel & Koegel, 1995). As such, they can lead to higher-quality social interactions and can improve generalization across behaviors and environments. Comprehensive socialization planning should include interventions targeting pivotal social behaviors (Koegel et al., 2012). Potential pivotal behaviors for improving socialization include initiating interactions, communication, using appropriate affect, responding to initiations, engaging in joint attention, and terminating interactions.