Further analysis of modifications to the three‐step guided compliance procedure to enhance compliance among children with autism

Abstract

Three-step guided compliance (vocal prompt, vocal plus model prompt, vocal prompt plus physical guidance) is a commonly used procedure to increase compliance among children with intellectual disabilities. Previous research has suggested that under some conditions, slight modifications to the three-step procedure may enhance its effectiveness. These modifications include omitting the model prompt and decreasing the interprompt interval. In the current study, we evaluated another modification to the procedure: the delivery of a high-preference item contingent upon compliance with the first vocal prompt (i.e., differential reinforcement). For 2 participants with autism, compliance remained low when we implemented differential reinforcement and the guided compliance procedure in isolation. However, compliance improved when we combined differential reinforcement and the three-step guided procedure, suggesting that for at least some children, the combination of contingent access to a high-preference item and the guided compliance procedure is more effective than either intervention alone.

The effects of noncontingent reinforcement on task disengagement following failure of differential reinforcement treatment

“…Most research studies that have included demonstrations of treatment targeting noncompliance have been successful when they have included a DR component whereby compliance with a directive resulted in access to a preferred item, attention, and/or a break from work. For example, Wilder et al (2020) showed that the use of a three-step guided compliance procedure to treat noncompliance in two young boys with ASD was only successful when a DR component was included in the treatment package. However, DR alone is not always successful in treating noncompliance (e.g., Fischetti et al, 2012;Wilder et al, 2020), necessitating that other reinforcement-based approaches be considered for treatment.…”

“…For example, Wilder et al. (2020) showed that the use of a three‐step guided compliance procedure to treat noncompliance in two young boys with ASD was only successful when a DR component was included in the treatment package. However, DR alone is not always successful in treating noncompliance (e.g., Fischetti et al., 2012; Wilder et al., 2020), necessitating that other reinforcement‐based approaches be considered for treatment.…”