Relations Between Consumption of Functional and Arbitrary Reinforcers During Functional Communication Training

We conducted a retrospective analysis of consumption of classes of reinforcement during functional communication training (FCT). The four participants were diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and displayed problem behavior maintained by positive (tangibles) and negative (escape from demands)...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of developmental and physical disabilities 2016-04, Vol.28 (2), p.237-253
Main Authors: Fewell, Rachael M., Romani, Patrick W., Wacker, David P., Lindgren, Scott D., Kopelman, Todd G., Waldron, Debra B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arbitrariness
Attention
Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Behavior
Behavior Problems
Behavioral Science and Psychology
Child and School Psychology
Communication
Consumption
Escape
Functional communication
Functionalism
Original Article
Pediatrics
People with disabilities
Psychology
Public Health
Reinforcement
Telemedicine
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Summary:We conducted a retrospective analysis of consumption of classes of reinforcement during functional communication training (FCT). The four participants were diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and displayed problem behavior maintained by positive (tangibles) and negative (escape from demands) reinforcement via a functional analysis (FA). In Experiment 1 of the current analysis, data were collected on consumption of tangibles, attention, and escape during reinforcement intervals of FCT. As hypothesized, reinforcers shown to maintain problem behavior were often consumed. However, three participants also consumed moderate to high levels of attention, an arbitrary reinforcer not identified by the FA. In Experiment 2, we studied the relationship between quality of attention and consumption of attention. Significant correlations were shown between quality of attention and consumption of attention for three participants. These data showed that while classes of reinforcement identified as maintaining problem behavior are consistently consumed during FCT, arbitrary classes of reinforcement might be important to consider also for treatment.
ISSN:1056-263X
1573-3580
DOI:10.1007/s10882-015-9463-z