The internal consistency and factor structure of the Choice Assessment Scale

Development of methods to identify potential reinforcers is an important service need. The Choice Assessment Scale (CAS: Research in Developmental Disabilities 20 (1999) 379-384) is a 60-item instrument to identify potential reinforcers for people with severe and profound mental retardation. The CAS had very high internal consistency. A factor analysis of the CAS yielded four factors, which were characterized as edibles, items requiring manipulation associated with tactile stimulation, tangible items associated with construction, and sensory items which were predominantly visual. Future directions in the development of measures of potential reinforcers are discussed.