Robert H. LaRue Jr., John Northup, Alan A. Baumeister, Mike F. Hawkins,
Lauren Seale, Tara Williams, & Andrea Ridgway. (2008).
An evaluation of stimulant medication on the reinforcing effects of play.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
41, 143-147.
Although a vast literature has indicated that stimulant medications are
effective for reducing inappropriate behavior in children with attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the effects of stimulant
medication on ancillary behaviors (e.g., play) have yet to be investigated
with the same rigor. We used a reinforcer assessment procedure to evaluate
the effects of medication on the play and social behavior of 5 preschool
children who had been diagnosed with ADHD. Conditions included (a)
social reinforcement (i.e., playing with friends), (b) alone play, and (c)
quiet time (i.e., resting). Results indicated that 1 of the 5 participants
selected fewer social reinforcers and more nonsocial reinforcers (alone
play or quiet time) while on medication. The findings indicate that the
reinforcer assessment procedure may be a viable way to evaluate medication
effects on an ongoing basis and to inform treatment decisions.
DESCRIPTORS: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, behavioral pharmacology,
reinforcer assessment, stimulant medication