Graduation Date

Spring 5-10-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Programs

Applied Behavior Analysis

First Advisor

Cynthia Livingston

Abstract

Research on functional communication training has shown it to be a highly effective treatment for socially maintained challenging behavior. Challenging behavior multiply maintained by social variables is often addressed with isolated treatments for each function. While this approach has been shown to be efficacious, it may be more time-consuming and less efficient. A more efficient option may be to synthesize the isolated treatments. One such approach, break-to-choice, utilizes a chained schedule of reinforcement that allows the individual to request a break, followed by the selection (choice) of a functional reinforcer to consume. Although this procedure has been shown to be effective, it is unclear whether effects of the synthesized treatment will generalize to isolated contingencies of each functional reinforcer. In this study, a break-to-choice treatment was implemented with children determined to exhibit multiply maintained challenging behavior. Additionally, this study extended previous research by implementing isolated contingency tests following schedule thinning criteria being met in the break-to-choice condition. The results of the study showed the break-to-choice intervention was effective in decreasing multiply maintained challenging behavior and increasing functional communication responses for three out of four participants. These effects generalized to all isolated contingencies for two participants.

Comments

2025 Copyright, the authors

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