Identifying effective procedures for reducing arranging and ordering

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Date Completed

2015

First Committee Member

Roscoe, Eileen

Second Committee Member

Bourret, Jason

Third Committee Member

Thompson, Rachel

Abstract

"Arranging and ordering is frequently observed among individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. However, there is little research on the assessment and treatment of this behavior. In the present study, we conducted a treatment evaluation of automatically reinforced arranging and ordering in three individuals with an ASD. A functional analysis indicated that their arranging and ordering was automatically reinforced. An indirect assessment was conducted with caregivers to identify socially acceptable potential punishers. During the treatment evaluation, noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) and differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) treatment components were evaluated first. If NCR and DRA were ineffective, four to five potential punishers were evaluated in the NCR + DRA context using a multielement design. A variety of dependent variables were measured, including arranging and ordering behavior, emotional responding, and appropriate item engagement. Punishment, in the form of product disruption or hands down, combined with NCR + DRA was the most effective treatment for decreasing arranging and ordering."

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