Correction to "Making Deception Fun: Teaching Autistic Individuals How to Play Friendly Tricks"

Reference to the Original Article and Authors

This blog post summarizes and discusses a correction published for the article:

Title: Correction: Making Deception Fun: Teaching Autistic Individuals How to Play Friendly Tricks
Authors: Megan St. Clair, Kacie Massoudi, Jonathan Tarbox, Adel Najdowski, Lauri Simchoni, Marianne Jackson, Angela Persicke
Published in: Behavior Analysis in Practice (2024) 17:947
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-024-00955-9

The original article can be found at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-024-00935-z.

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Introduction

In the field of behavior analysis, accuracy in research is vital. One recent study, Making Deception Fun: Teaching Autistic Individuals How to Play Friendly Tricks, focused on teaching autistic individuals playful deception to improve social interactions. While the study provided valuable insights, a correction was later issued regarding the spelling of one of the authors’ names.

In this post, we will:

• Summarize the correction.
• Discuss why accuracy in academic publishing matters.
• Revisit the original study’s key findings and implications.

This correction does not change the study's findings but highlights the importance of precise author attribution in scholarly work.

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Summary of the Correction

The correction specifically addressed an error in the spelling of an author’s name:

• Adel Najdowski’s last name was misspelled as Adel Nadjowski.
• This error was fixed to ensure proper credit to the author.

While this might seem like a minor detail, corrections like this are essential in academic publishing for several reasons:

1. Accurate Author Attribution – Proper spelling ensures that researchers receive credit for their work.
2. Correct Citations – Misspelled names can cause issues in citation databases, making it harder to track an author’s contributions.
3. Academic Integrity – Corrections help maintain trust and reliability in published research.

This amendment ensures that Dr. Najdowski’s work is properly cited in future studies.

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Overview of Making Deception Fun

The original article explored how teaching friendly deception—such as playing harmless tricks—can help autistic individuals improve their social skills. The study’s key objectives included:

• Demonstrating that deception can be used playfully and socially.
• Teaching autistic individuals to engage in playful tricks in a structured way.
• Examining whether these skills generalize to different settings.

Methods Used

The researchers used the following strategies to teach playful deception:

1. Modeling and Role-Playing – Participants observed how friendly tricks were played and practiced them in a structured setting.
2. Reinforcement Strategies – Successful playful deception was reinforced with praise and rewards.
3. Generalization – Participants practiced these skills in different contexts to ensure real-world application.

Key Findings

The study found that autistic individuals could successfully learn friendly deception when taught using behavior-analytic principles. The research highlighted:

• Increased engagement in playful deception among autistic individuals.
• Positive social outcomes and improved peer interactions.
• The importance of structured teaching to ensure skill acquisition.

These findings provide valuable insights for behavior analysts working to improve social skills in autistic individuals.

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The Importance of Accuracy in Academic Publishing

Errors in scientific research, even small ones like name misspellings, can have significant consequences. Correcting these mistakes upholds academic integrity and ensures that research remains credible.

Why Corrections Matter

1. Proper Credit to Authors – Researchers rely on accurate citations to build their academic reputation.
2. Searchability in Databases – Incorrect author names can lead to difficulties in locating and citing research.
3. Trust in Scientific Literature – Even minor corrections contribute to maintaining the reliability of scholarly work.

How Academic Corrections Work

When an error is discovered, the journal typically follows this process:

• The author notifies the journal of the mistake.
• The editorial team verifies the issue.
• A correction notice is published to clarify the change.

By publishing transparent corrections, journals demonstrate their commitment to accuracy in scientific communication.

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Implications for Practitioners and Researchers

Why Behavior Analysts Should Review Corrections

For professionals in applied behavior analysis (ABA), keeping up with corrections is crucial. When applying research findings, practitioners should:

• Check for any updates or corrections in relevant studies.
• Ensure citations are accurate when referencing research.
• Maintain awareness of how modifications may affect the study's interpretation.

Best Practices for Ensuring Accuracy Before Publication

• Double-Check Author Names – Verify names during manuscript submission.
• Use Citation Management Tools – These help prevent errors in references.
• Collaborate with Co-Authors – Ensure all authors have reviewed the final version before publication.

These steps can reduce the chances of publishing errors and the need for future corrections.

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How to Access the Corrected Article

The corrected article is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, meaning:

• Anyone can read, share, and use the research freely.
• Attribution must be given to the original authors.
• The full correction notice is accessible online.

To read the correction in its entirety, visit:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-024-00955-9.

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Conclusion

Despite the minor correction in the author’s name, the study remains a valuable resource for behavior analysts. The research highlights how playful deception can help autistic individuals develop stronger social skills, and the correction ensures proper acknowledgment of contributions.

Key takeaways from this post:

• The correction involved fixing an author’s misspelled name.
• Small errors in academic publishing can impact citation accuracy.
• Making Deception Fun presents research on using friendly tricks as a social learning tool for autistic individuals.

For behavior analysts, keeping up with corrections and ensuring accurate citations help maintain the integrity of research applications. To explore this study further, read the corrected article here:

📖 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-024-00955-9.

Additional Resources

For more research on behavior analysis and autism, consider:

• Behavior Analysis in Practice (journal of applied behavior analysis research).
• Studies on social skill interventions for autistic individuals.
• Research on behavioral teaching strategies and their impact.

Accurate research benefits both professionals and the individuals they support. By staying informed, behavior analysts can continue to make meaningful contributions to the field.