title: A demonstration of individual preference for novel mands during functional communication training.
abstract: Preference for mand topography was evaluated for 2 individuals with developmental disabilities who exhibited problem behavior. The results of a functional analysis showed that each participant's problem behavior was maintained by social reinforcement. Participants were taught two novel mand topographies for the same functional reinforcer, and each proved to be effective in reducing problem behavior. Finally, preference for mand topography was assessed within a concurrent-schedules design. Results indicated that functional communication training was an effective treatment, regardless of the mand used, and that each participant demonstrated a preference for one mand topography relative to the other.
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa, IA, USA. lisa.kemmerer@mail.wvu.edu
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Winborn-Kemmerer
authors.forename: Joel E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Ringdahl
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Wacker
authors.forename: Kana
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kitsukawa
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014705:Verbal Behavior; D055815:Young Adult