title: The effects of blocking mouthing of leisure items on their effectiveness as reinforcers.
abstract: Leisure items are commonly used as reinforcers in behavior-analytic applications. However, a defining feature of autism is the occurrence of stereotypy, and individuals with autism often engage leisure items in a stereotyped manner. The opportunity for stereotyped interaction may be the only aspect of a contingent stimulus that makes it a reinforcer for appropriate behavior. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of blocking stereotyped reinforcer interaction on reinforcer efficacy for 2 children with autism. Results showed that blocking stereotypic reinforcer interaction did not influence reinforcer efficacy.
authors.affiliation: California State University, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Rachel S F
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tarbox
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tarbox
authors.forename: Patrick M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Ghezzi
authors.forename: Michele D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: J Helen
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yoo
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002755:Choice Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior