title: The utility of assessing musical preference before implementation of noncontingent music to reduce vocal stereotypy.
abstract: We conducted a modified paired-choice preference assessment and used a multielement design to examine the effects of noncontingent access to high- and low-preference music on vocal stereotypy exhibited by children with autism. For 3 of the 4 participants, high-preference music (a) produced lower levels of vocal stereotypy than low-preference music and (b) reduced vocal stereotypy when compared to a no-interaction condition. Results underscore the potential importance of assessing musical preference prior to using noncontingent music to reduce vocal stereotypy.
authors: Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada. marc.lanovaz@umontreal.ca
authors: Marc J
authors: MJ
authors: Lanovaz
authors: John T
authors: JT
authors: Rapp
authors: Stéphanie
authors: S
authors: Ferguson
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002755:Choice Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009146:Music; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior; D014705:Verbal Behavior
keywords: automatic reinforcement; music; noncontingent reinforcement; preference assessment; vocal stereotypy