5047 Instructors Notes Flashcards
Outline
- Preference Assessments
- Preliminary
- Observation based
- Systematic Manipultions
- Deciding
Preference Assessment
*Methods for identifying items and activities that MAY function as reinforcers
- 3 general approaches:
- Ask (Indirect)
- Watch (Naturalistic Observations)
- Test (Direct)
Indirect
- Informant Based:
- Can be client directly or parent/ caregiver/ teacher
- Interviews; Forms
- Used in inform later assessments
Naturalistic Observation
- Decide the most relevant “free time” to observe
- Record duration of interactions
- Direct observations
Advantages of Naturalistic Observations
- Does not require verbal response
- Does not require removal
- Does not require “trials”
- Relevant setting
- Can observe the manner in which they play
Direct preference assessments
- Arranging items or activities to observe client selection and engagement
- Data to collect:
- Percent of selection
- Duration of engagement
- Trial-Based
- 1 or More items presented across trials & approach is measured
- Single-Stimulus (Pace 85)
- Paired-Stimulus (Fisher 92)
- Multiple-Stimulus (Windsor, DeLeon & Iwata)
*Single-Stimulus-Procedures
Identify items and set up Present one at a time Wait for approach (If no approach: remove) Record data Start next trial
Single-Stimulus- Advantages and Disadvantages
- Can identify many items
- Prone to fasle positives
- Don’t know the relative value
Paired-Stimulus
- Items presented in pairs
- All possible combinations
- Time consuming
- Results in a hierarchy
Paired- Stimulus Procedures
- Present 2 items
- Wait for approach; allow access; remove other
- No approach: remove and represent
- Reach for both: Block
- Record data
- Next trial
*Position Bias
-Continuing to select items on a particular side regardless of items present
*Multiple Stimulus
- Present all items simultaneously
- Participant selects one
- More time efficient
- Can return a hierarchy
*MSW - Procedure
- Present all items
- Give instruction to “choose”; remove unselected items; block attempts to grab at others
- Record data
- Re-present ALL items
*MSWO- Procedure
- Present all items
- Give instruction to “choose”; remove unselected items; block attempts to grab at others
- Record data
- Re-present remaining items
MS Limitations
- Only useful with table-top items
- Stimuli are taken away
- No hierarchy: MSW
- MSWO provides a hierarchy (advantage)
Variations
- Sometimes items or activities cannot be made readily available to display
- 2 common alternatives:
- Vocal
- Pictorial
Vocal
- Options presented vocally
- Client selects from named items/activities
- Prerequisite:
- Sufficient verbal behavior
Pictorial
*Provide pictures for each activity and participant can select from options
- Prerequisite:
- Picture-to-object matching
Duration-Based
*Rather than measuring selection, you measure the amount of time spent with items or activities
- 2 common formats:
- Free operant
- Single-item
Free Operant - Procedures
- Present all items (doesn’t have to be at the table)
- Allow access for entire assessment time
- Record duration with each item
- Rank based on engagement
Single-item Duration
-Present item, start timer
-Allow up to 2 minutes of access
‘Start a 2nd timer:
When individual starts to interact
(Stop 2nd timer when they stop)
-After 2 minutes, stop timer(s) and remove items
-Record data
The BCBA provides the client with a list of items and has them rate their favorites. Which type of assessment is the BCBA conducting?
a. Direct
b. Indirect
b. Indirect
Which of the following is Naturalistic Observation?
a. The BCBA takes the 5 most preferred items and sets them on the table, then watches and records the duration of engagement
b. The BCBA asks teachers and caregivers to list what the client typically plays with
c. The BCBA watches a typical day at preschool and records items and duration of engagement
c. The BCBA watches a typical day at preschool and records items and duration of engagement