Lindauer, S. E., Zarcone, J. R., Richman, D. M., & Schroeder, S. R. (2002).
A comparison of multiple reinforcer assessments to identify the function of maladaptive behavior.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
35, 299-303.
Functional analysis results indicated that maladaptive behaviors
displayed by a 25-year-old man with profound mental retardation
were maintained by attention from caregivers and possibly, to a
lesser degree, by access to tangible items. A
concurrent-schedules procedure was then used to study the
relative reinforcing value for maladaptive behavior of attention
versus tangible items. Results of the concurrent-schedules
assessment and subsequent functional communication training
indicated that preference for attention versus access to a
tangible object varied.
DESCRIPTORS: _functional analysis, reinforcer assessment,
functional communication training, concurrent schedules of
reinforcement, developmental disabilities