Association for Behavior Analysis International

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder can exhibit behaviors that are harmful or disruptive to learning or the environment. These behaviors can be automatically reinforced. A common intervention component for automatically reinforced behavior involves the presence of competing stimuli, identified through competing stimulus assessments. The present symposium encompasses three studies that each seek to evaluate a different aspect of the assessment or treatment process involving competing stimuli. The first project investigates the influence of individual preference on competing stimulus assessment outcomes, aiming to enhance our understanding of the factors impacting problem behavior reduction. In the second project, an augmented competing stimulus assessment with prompted engagement components is utilized to identify competing items for reducing stereotypy. The final project focuses on vocal stereotypy in individuals with autism and evaluates the effectiveness of using music as matched stimulation to reduce vocal stereotypy and enhance on-task behavior. Collectively, these research projects contribute to the field of behavior assessment and intervention, shedding light on individual preferences, the use of matched stimulation, and the efficacy of augmented competing stimulus assessment in addressing problem behaviors and enhancing treatment approaches.

Education of reinforcement and behavior reduction practices

The present research project aims to investigate the influence of preference on competing stimulus assessments outcomes. Competing stimulus assessments are pre-treatment evaluations aimed at identifying stimuli that, when provided as available options, are linked to decreases in problem behavior. These reductions are hypothesized to result from the competition or substitution of reinforcers (Ahearn et al., 2005; Fisher et al., 2000; Hagopian et al., 2005; Shore et al., 1997). Multiple stimulus preference assessment without replacement is a widely used assessment procedure that involves presenting individuals with an array of stimuli and determining their preferences through selection. While multiple stimulus preference assessment without replacement has proven effective in identifying preferred stimuli, the potential impact of individual preference on competing stimulus assessments outcomes remains unclear. This study seeks to continue to add to the literature on preference in relation to competing stimulus assessments outcomes (Laureano et al., 2023) by examining relation between the presence of ranked preference stimuli and behavior reduction. Through a systematic evaluation involving participants who engaged in destructive behavior, the findings from this research project will contribute to our understanding of the factors influencing CSA outcomes and inform future practices in behavior assessment and intervention planning, ultimately enhancing individualized treatment approaches and promoting optimal outcomes for individuals with diverse needs.

Vocal stereotypy (VS), or vocalizations that are noncontexual or nonfunctional, is commonly exhibited in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The nature of vocal stereotypy may pose an issue for some individuals when it competes with the ability perform daily tasks or leads to reduced independence. Previous research has shown that access to matched stimulation (e.g., music) is effective at reducing vocal stereotypy. However, this treatment is typically evaluated during play or low stimulation conditions and thus, its effectiveness and compatibility with daily tasks are less known. Therefore, we tested wearing headphones that played music as matched stimulation to decrease vocal stereotypy and increase on-task duration. The data indicate that music as matched stimulation significantly decreased vocal stereotypy for all participants and marginal increases in on-task behavior were observed. Additionally, effects generalized to classroom settings and activities. Treatment preference assessments indicated that all participants preferred to work while accessing music.