The Influence of Activity Choice on Problem Behaviors Maintained by Escape Versus Attention

Abstract

This study assessed whether the function of an individual's problem behavior was related to the effectiveness of an intervention involving choice among tasks. Analogue functional analyses were conducted with 7 students with various diagnoses to determine whether problem behaviors were maintained by escape or attention. Following identification of the function of each student's problem behavior, reversal designs were used to assess the effectiveness of an intervention that allowed the students to choose their own instructional tasks. Results showed that students who displayed escape-maintained problem behavior showed substantial reductions in such behavior when they were provided with opportunities to choose among tasks. On the other hand, students who displayed attention-maintained problem behavior did not show any effects as a result of the choice intervention. These findings are discussed in terms of the effective use of behavior management programs involving choice and the reduction of problem behavior.

The Efficacy of Choice-Making as an Intervention for Individuals with ASD: Meta-Analysis of Single-Subject Research

“…Several experimental studies have also included choice-making as a major component in successful behavior support plans (Dunlap, Kern-Dunlap, Clarke, & Robbins, 1991; Lindauer, Deleon, & Fisher, 1999). Research findings also suggest that giving students opportunities to choose among several tasks can decrease the likelihood of escape-motivated behavior (Romaniuk et al, 2002).…”

The Effects of Choice Between Nonpreferred Foods on the Food Consumption of Individuals with Food Selectivity

“…Providing choices to individuals with disabilities has been encouraged within interventions as a means to develop autonomy as well as being an important part of the normalization process (Fisher, Thompson, Piazza, Crosland, & Gotjen, 1997). A number of investigations have shown that allowing individuals to make choices between tasks or reinforcing consequences is an effective technique in both decreasing maladaptive behavior and increasing compliance to instructions (Powell & Nelson, 1997;Romaniuk et al, 2002).…”

“…In a study conducted by Romaniuk et al (2002), they evaluated the effects of providing a choice among tasks on problem behavior maintained by social positive and social negative reinforcement within a reversal design. The functional analyses of seven participants with various diagnoses revealed that three children engaged in behaviors maintained by social-positive reinforcement, three others demonstrated behaviors maintained by social-negative reinforcement, while the last child's behavior was identified as being multiply controlled by both sources of reinforcement.…”

“…Further, the use of choice as an antecedent manipulation has been widely researched mostly in contexts unrelated to feeding disorders and has been recommended as an effective intervention for decreasing behavior maintained by social-negative reinforcement (Romaniuk et al, 2002). Based on the previous research in these areas, it was hypothesized that utilizing a choice between non-preferred foods would not only be a practical application but would also be effective in decreasing problem behavior when consequent variables (e.g., escape extinction) are needed.…”

Differentiation of Preference Using ResponseReinforcement Delay in a Child with Autism: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…Lerman et al [2] found that the opportunity for making a choice appears to be beneficial for these individuals. Romaniuk et al [3] reported that individuals who display challenging behaviours often exhibit these when they are given opportunities to make choices, thus demonstrating a stimulus preference.…”