title: An evaluation of the use of eye gaze to measure preference of individuals with severe physical and developmental disabilities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine whether duration of eye gaze could be used to identify reinforcing stimuli for four individuals with severe physical and developmental disabilities, as well as the effectiveness of the assessment using different numbers of stimuli (i.e. 6 vs 14).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study measured each student's preferences in a paired stimulus preference assessment using duration of eye gaze toward various stimuli. Following the preference assessment, a reinforcer assessment was conducted within a reversal design to determine the accuracy of the preference hierarchy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated that duration of eye gaze toward a stimulus was successful in identifying preferred stimuli that functioned as reinforcers for all participants. Additionally, the shorter preference assessment produced measures of similar accuracy in considerably less time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Eye gaze can be used to identify reinforcing stimuli for individuals with severe physical and developmental disabilities.
authors.affiliation: The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Courtney V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: Geoffrey M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.forename: Helen I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Cannella-Malone
authors.forename: Abby R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Basbagill
authors.forename: Yi-Chieh
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Kristall Graham
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Day
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005133:Eye Movements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult