We evaluated the utility of a brief (5-min) stimulus preference assessment for individuals with developmental disabilities. Participants had noncontingent (free) access to an array stimuli and could interact any at time. Stimuli were never withdrawn or withheld from participants during 5-min session. In Experiment 1, was conducted 10 identify differentially preferred stimuli, reinforcer assessments test reinforcing efficacy those identified as highly preferred. 2, comparison between commonly...

The role of experimental analyses in guiding treatment is well established. However, not all yield conclusive results. Outcomes may be inconclusive due to time limitations that preclude extended observation and detailed manipulations, or result from interactions across conditions, multiple control, other unknown factors. In this study, we describe an assessment sequence moves through four phases beginning with relatively brief (1 2 hr) culminating control for confounding effects (e.g.,...

We extended research on the role of noncontingent positive reinforcement following a functional analysis attention‐maintained self‐injurious behavior to self‐injury maintained by negative in 2 young males with developmental disabilities. During pretreatment analysis, each participant's was shown be differentially sensitive escape from instructional activities as reinforcement. escape, learning provided fixed‐time schedule that not influenced behavior. One participant also exposed...

In prior research, differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) has been implemented at optimal treatment values: Problem is never reinforced, and always reinforced. However, in application, DRA unlikely to be conducted optimally. this study, following a functional analysis phase full implementation phase, we challenged initially positive effects for 3 participants by implementing less than parameters. For example, some occurrences problem were not Results suggested that when...

To evaluate the effects of environmental enrichment on stereotypic self‐injurious behavior (SIB), we conducted an assessment preference for manipulating alternative stimuli rather than engaging in SIB. First, each 3 participants, a functional analysis SIB was Phase 1. Participants were selected 2 if showed that persisted absence social consequences. In 2, which participants observed preferred free‐operant format. A measure taken time spent stimulus and 3, evaluated using over target...

The current study examined resurgence of problem behavior during thinning multiple schedules reinforcement following functional communication training replicating previous research (Briggs et al., 2018). Data were analyzed at each step from subjects enrolled in an intensive day treatment program over a 5‐year period. Results indicated that the 239 steps analyzed, was observed 97 those (40.6%), similar to results Briggs al. (2018). data also estimate magnitude when it observed. In first...

Renewal is defined as the reemergence of a previously eliminated behavior following context change. Determining prevalence this effect in clinical practice would allow clinicians to better anticipate problem behavior, such when patient discharged from treatment facility return their home. The current consecutive, case‐series analysis determined and magnitude renewal implementing behavioral treatments for behavior. Across 182 changes, was observed 77 times (42.3%). In first session change,...

Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) has emerged as a treatment package for severe behavior problems. Although concerns about potential side effects (such incidental reinforcement) have been raised, there few reported negative in published studies to date. In this article, we report an NCR evaluation aggression that produced (a) extinction burst and (b) reinforcement. These were evaluated by examining within‐session response patterns distributions. As solution, brief omission contingency was...

The differential effects of caregivers and inpatient staff members as therapists on behavior were evaluated within a reversal design. Results indicated that problem behaviors higher in the presence relative to staff. These results are discussed terms how antecedent stimuli can affect functional analysis outcomes.

Previous outcome studies have provided descriptions of functional analyses conducted in outpatient clinics (Derby et al., 1992), long‐term inpatient programs (Iwata, Pace, 1994), and home environments (Wacker 1998). This study provides a description 138 children adults with without developmental disabilities who were evaluated treated for aberrant behaviors on short‐term unit. The results indicated that the during evaluation successful 96% participants identifying maintaining reinforcers...

Preference for mand topography was evaluated 2 individuals with developmental disabilities who exhibited problem behavior. The results of a functional analysis showed that each participant's behavior maintained by social reinforcement. Participants were taught two novel topographies the same reinforcer, and proved to be effective in reducing Finally, preference assessed within concurrent‐schedules design. Results indicated communication training an treatment, regardless used, participant...

Functional analysis test conditions typically manipulate a single antecedent variable and an associated consequence to better isolate response-reinforcer relations. In some instances no problem behavior is observed, perhaps representing false-negative finding. The present study evaluated one approach assess potentially findings within functional analyses. Participants were exposed single-antecedent combined-antecedent multielement design. Both participants engaged in primarily during the...

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the generalization mands during functional communication training (FCT) and sign language across contexts (i.e., positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement). A secondary a procedure based on stimulus control teach manual signs. During treatment evaluation, we implemented in 1 context (e.g., reinforcement by attention) while continuing analysis conditions 2 other tangible item; escape). tested for trained reinforcement; reinforcement)...

We evaluated the effects of lag schedules reinforcement and functional communication training (FCT) on mand variability problem behavior in two children with autism spectrum disorder. Specifically, we implemented FCT increasing compared its baseline conditions. The results showed that both participants exhibited low rates during treatment relative to following schedule thinning (up a Lag 5 arrangement). Variable total mands remained high thinning. With one participant, variable manding...

We evaluated the usefulness of 2 assessments to guide treatment selection for individuals whose prior functional analysis indicated that automatic reinforcement maintained their problem behavior. In 1st assessment, we compared levels behavior during a noncontingent play condition and an alone or ignore condition. 2nd, assessed participants’ relative preferences social reinforcers in concurrent‐operants arrangement. used results these assign 5 participants based on access differential...

Self-management procedures typically focus on decreasing an undesirable target behavior or increasing a that is incompatible with behavior. Although it effective, self-management generally designed in such way reinforcement accessed through the program may not be functionally equivalent to by engaging In this study, we examined efficacy of reinforce both was and appropriate replacement Functional analyses were conducted three participants. Each participant then taught self-manage as well...

Several studies have shown that various factors can influence noncompliance, including task novelty, rate of presentation, and preference. This study examined the impact selected antecedent variables on noncompliance in an outpatient clinic setting. In two experiments involving 6 typically developing children, consequences for remained constant. During Experiment 1, demands included noncontingent access to adult attention were contrasted with same did not include within a multielement...