title: Examining the operant function of challenging behavior in young males with fragile X syndrome: a summary of 12 cases.
abstract: This study used experimental functional analyses to examine the operant function of challenging behaviors exhibited by 12 males (ages 27-51 months) with fragile X syndrome (FXS). Eight children met criteria for negatively reinforced challenging behavior in the form of escape from demands and/or escape from social interactions. Nine children met criteria for positively reinforced challenging behavior in the form of obtaining access to highly preferred items. Attention was identified as a maintaining consequence for three children. The functional analysis was inconclusive for one child. Results suggest that, for young males with FXS, challenging behaviors may more likely be tangibly and escape maintained than attention maintained. Our findings affirm past research suggesting a unique behavioral phenotype for this population.
authors.affiliation: University of Oregon, United States. Electronic address: wmachali@uoregon.edu.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Machalicek
authors.affiliation: University of California-Davis MIND Institute, United States.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McDuffie
authors.affiliation: University of California-Davis MIND Institute, United States.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oakes
authors.affiliation: University of California-Davis MIND Institute, United States.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: University of California-Davis MIND Institute, United States.
authors.forename: Angela John
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Thurman
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M University, United States.
authors.forename: Mandy J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rispoli
authors.affiliation: University of California-Davis MIND Institute, United States.
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Abbeduto
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D004924:Escape Reaction; D005600:Fragile X Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology
keywords: Challenging behavior; Fragile X syndrome; Functional analysis; Functional behavior assessment