Which behavior guidance technique is LEAST likely to be effective in a child with autism spectrum disorder?

Correct answer: C. Voice control

• A. Tell-show-do is highly effective in ASD, especially when paired with visual rather than purely verbal information.
• B. Graduated desensitization across short repeated visits is one of the best-supported approaches for ASD.
• C. CORRECT. VOICE CONTROL relies on interpreting changes in tone, volume, and pace as social cues. Children with ASD have impaired processing of prosody and social communication, so the technique is largely ineffective — and the sudden increase in volume commonly provokes sensory overload and escalation rather than compliance.
• D. Visual schedules and social stories address the core need for predictability and are strongly recommended.

Note: For ASD: visual, predictable, low-sensory, repetitive. Verbal/auditory-dependent techniques underperform.