Kr. Logan et al., Preferences and reinforcers for students with profound multiple disabilities: Can we identify them?, J DEV PHY D, 13(2), 2001, pp. 97-122
Citations number
26
Categorie Soggetti
Rehabilitation
Journal title
JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES
Previous research has documented that there are limits to our current knowl
edge about procedures for identifying preferences and reinforcers for indiv
iduals with profound multiple disabilities as compared with other individua
ls with less significant disabilities. In this paper, we review the procedu
res used by other researchers to assess preferences and identify reinforcer
s for these individuals. Two experiments were completed that adapted the pr
eference assessment and reinforcer resting procedures described by these re
searchers. These included changes in the trial and session format and the t
ype of stimuli presented during the preference assessment, types of student
behavior studies, and the research design used during reinforcement testin
g Results show that while more preferences were identified with the adapted
procedures, this increase did not lead to the identification of more effec
tive reinforcers. The reinforcing effects of the preferred stimuli were idi
osyncratic among the students and the data were variable both within and ac
ross participants. Implications for practice are discussed.