Competing Stimuli and Preference Assessments to Reduce Self-Injurious Behavior and Motor Stereotypy

Summary:  View help for Summary There are many studies that have examined the use of competing stimuli to reduce challenging behavior, but there is limited research examining if preference of a stimulus impacts its effectiveness as a competing stimulus.  This study examined whether using a competing stimulus assessment in conjunction with a paired-stimulus preference assessment increased the capability to identify stimuli to reduce self-injurious behavior and motor stereotypy in a 17-year-old male diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Initially, a single item based on both a competing stimulus assessment and a paired-stimulus preference assessment was used during sessions. After results suggested satiation of the original stimulus, another stimulus was used; however, this second stimulus also appeared to contact satiation. A second procedure, provided the participant the continuous choice of stimuli during each session. Results were variable, but an overall inverse relationship between competing stimulus engagement and challenging behavior was found during treatment phases.