title: On the effectiveness of and preference for punishment and extinction components of function-based interventions.
abstract: The current study describes an assessment sequence that may be used to identify individualized, effective, and preferred interventions for severe problem behavior in lieu of relying on a restricted set of treatment options that are assumed to be in the best interest of consumers. The relative effectiveness of functional communication training (FCT) with and without a punishment component was evaluated with 2 children for whom functional analyses demonstrated behavioral maintenance via social positive reinforcement. The results showed that FCT plus punishment was more effective than FCT in reducing problem behavior. Subsequently, participants' relative preference for each treatment was evaluated in a concurrent-chains arrangement, and both participants demonstrated a dear preference for FCT with punishment. These findings suggest that the treatment-selection process may be guided by person-centered and evidence-based values.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas, 1000 Sunnyside Ave., Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA. ghanley@ku.edu
authors.forename: Gregory P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Hanley
authors.forename: Cathleen C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Piazza
authors.forename: Wayne W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Kristen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Maglieri
mesh_terms: D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002755:Choice Behavior; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000628:therapy*; D005108:Extinction, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011678:Punishment; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000628:therapy