An evaluation of delay to reinforcement and mand variability during functional communication training. Issue 2 (14th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Muething, Colin S.; Falcomata, Terry S.; Ferguson, Raechal; Swinnea, Samantha; Shpall, Cayenne
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied behavior analysis. Volume 51:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 263
• Page End: 275
• Publication Date: 2018-02-14
• Subjects: challenging behavior -- delay to reinforcement -- functional communication training -- response variability -- translational research; Psychology, Applied -- Periodicals; Social Behavior -- Periodicals; 150
• DOI: 10.1002/jaba.441
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8855

Abstract

Abstract : Children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities often exhibit invariant responding (i.e., restricted behavioral repertoires), deficits in communication, and challenging behavior. Approaches demonstrated in the basic and applied literature to increase response variability include extinction, lag schedules of reinforcement, and percentile schedules of reinforcement. Results of basic studies have also indicated that delays to reinforcement often produce increases in response variability. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effects of a delay to reinforcement on the variability of communication responses during functional communication training with individuals with developmental disabilities and histories of engaging in challenging behavior. Results indicated that delays to reinforcement increased mand variability with all four participants with variable effects on challenging behavior across participants.