ABSTRACT
Preference for mand topography was evaluated for 2 individuals with developmental disabilities who exhibited problem behavior. The results of a functional analysis showed that each participant's problem behavior was maintained by social reinforcement. Participants were taught two novel mand topographies for the same functional reinforcer, and each proved to be effective in reducing problem behavior. Finally, preference for mand topography was assessed within a concurrent-schedules design. Results indicated that functional communication training was an effective treatment, regardless of the mand used, and that each participant demonstrated a preference for one mand topography relative to the other.
Subject(s)
Behavior Therapy/methods , Choice Behavior , Developmental Disabilities/psychology , Intellectual Disability/psychology , Verbal Behavior , Child , Conditioning, Operant , Developmental Disabilities/complications , Developmental Disabilities/therapy , Epilepsy/complications , Female , Humans , Intellectual Disability/therapy , Male , Observer Variation , Psychomotor Performance , Reinforcement Schedule , Reinforcement, Psychology , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
We evaluated a differential-reinforcement-based treatment package for the reduction of problem behavior during instructional situations. Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA; compliance) was implemented across two conditions. During one condition, instructions were presented approximately once every other minute. This condition was considered the terminal goal for treatment. During the second condition, the rate of instructions was gradually increased (beginning at zero and ending when instruction rate was similar to the first condition). Results indicated that DRA with instructional fading resulted in less problem behavior than DRA without instructional fading. These results are similar to previous studies regarding the utility of instructional fading.
Subject(s)
Child Behavior Disorders/etiology , Child Behavior Disorders/therapy , Reinforcement, Psychology , Autistic Disorder/psychology , Child , Female , HumansABSTRACT
The effects of noncontingently available alternative stimuli on functional analysis outcomes were evaluated for 2 individuals. Results suggested that noncontingent access to preferred items resulted in reduced levels of attention-maintained behavior. The results are interpreted in terms of establishing operations.
