Joint attention (JA) is a pivotal prelinguistic skill critical to developing language and social repertoires. This behavior is often absent or delayed in children with autism spectrum disorder, commonly resulting in problematic communicative consequences. Behavior-based interventions have been used to teach autistic children to initiate and respond to JA, with mixed results. My two dissertation studies focused on reviewing and evaluating research on teaching JA to children with autism, and a single-case research design to investigate the use of a behavior analytic intervention to teach three autistic children to initiate JA. The systematic review intended to identify which type of JA was being taught, using which methods, and further, what type of consequence was being used to shape and maintain this behavior. A quality indicator analysis is conducted to evaluate studies that meet the criteria for high-quality, methodologically sound research. The single case study featured the analysis of a behavioral-based intervention comprised of a differential reinforcement and time delay procedure to teach three autistic children to initiate joint attention through remote training and supervision. Joint attention behavior as a socially valid goal and the intervention as a socially valid intervention was evaluated through the assent behavior of participants. Collectively, these two studies supported the critical need for more research in this area and highlighted the importance of this essential skill for children with autism in the home, school, and community settings. Future research is needed to assess the generality of joint attention behaviors, both generalization outside of intervention conditions and maintenance post-treatment as well as evaluate the quality of contemporary research in this field of inquiry. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]