Brief Report: A Comparison of Indirect Versus Experimental Strategies for the Assessment of Pica

• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-009-0766-8
• Publication Date: 2009-06-01T18:22:56Z
• Authors: Lauren C. Wasano; John C. Borrero; Carolynn S. Kohn
• Keywords: Pica (typography)

We conducted functional analyses of pica for three individuals with varying levels of intellectual disabilities. In addition, two indirect assessment instruments (the Motivational Assessment Scale [MAS], and the Questions About Behavioral Function [QABF]) were also administered to both the parent and teacher of the child participants. Results of the functional analyses indicated that pica was sensitive to automatic reinforcement. Further, results of both the MAS and QABF also suggested behavioral sensitivity to automatic reinforcement.