Further Analysis of the Predictive Effects of a Free-Operant Competing Stimulus Assessment on Stereotypy

We conducted five experiments to evaluate the predictive validity of a free-operant competing stimulus assessment (FOCSA). In Experiment 1, we showed that each participant’s repetitive behavior persisted without social consequences. In Experiment 2, we used the FOCSA to identify high-preference, low...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Behavior modification Vol. 42; no. 4; pp. 543 - 583
Main Authors:	Brogan, Kristen M., Rapp, John T., Sennott, Lisa A., Cook, Jennifer L., Swinkels, Erin
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-07-2018 SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
Subjects:	Autism Spectrum Disorder - complications Autism Spectrum Disorder - rehabilitation Behavior modification Behavior Therapy - methods Child Child, Preschool Clinical significance Experiments Humans Male Outcome and Process Assessment (Health Care) Predictive Validity Reinforcement (Psychology) Stereotyped Behavior - physiology Stereotypic Movement Disorder - etiology Stereotypic Movement Disorder - therapy preference assessment competing stimulus assessment autism FOCSA stereotypy
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Summary:	We conducted five experiments to evaluate the predictive validity of a free-operant competing stimulus assessment (FOCSA). In Experiment 1, we showed that each participant’s repetitive behavior persisted without social consequences. In Experiment 2, we used the FOCSA to identify high-preference, low-stereotypy (HP-LS) items for 11 participants and high-preference, high-stereotypy (HP-HS) items for nine participants. To validate the results of the FOCSAs (Experiment 3), we used a three-component multiple schedule to evaluate the immediate and subsequent effects of an HP-LS stimulus, an HP-HS stimulus, or both (in separate test sequences) on each participant’s stereotypy. Results of Experiment 3 showed that the FOCSA correctly predicted the immediate effect of the HP-LS stimulus for 10 of 11 participants; however, the FOCSA predictions were less accurate for the HP-HS stimulus. Results of Experiment 4 showed that a differential reinforcement of other behavior procedure in which participants earned access to the HP-LS for omitting vocal stereotypy increased all five participants’ latency to engaging in stereotypy; however, clinically significant omission durations were only achieved for one participant. Experiment 5 showed that differential reinforcement of alternative behavior in which participants earned access to the HP-LS stimulus contingent upon correct responses during discrete-trial training reduced targeted and nontargeted stereotypy and increased correct academic responding for all four participants. The potential utility of the FOCSA is discussed.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0145-4455 1552-4167
DOI:	10.1177/0145445517741476