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Using pictures to assess reinforcers in individuals with developmental disabilities
Richard B Graff1, Lenwood Gibson
1New England Center for Children, 33 Turnpike Road, Southboro, MA 01772, USA.
Behavior Modification
|September 16, 2003
Summary
Tangible and pictorial preference assessments accurately identified highly preferred items for individuals with developmental disabilities. These assessments effectively determined reinforcers, aiding in personalized intervention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Developmental Disabilities Research
- Assistive Technology
Background:
- Accurate preference assessment is crucial for identifying effective reinforcers in individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Traditional tangible assessments can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.
- Pictorial assessments offer a potentially more accessible alternative for preference identification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of tangible preference assessments versus pictorial preference assessments.
- To determine if both methods yield similar preference hierarchies for individuals with developmental disabilities.
- To validate the identified preferences by using them in reinforcer assessments.
Main Methods:
- Four individuals with developmental disabilities participated in both tangible and pictorial preference assessments.
- In tangible assessments, participants interacted with actual stimuli.
- In pictorial assessments, participants selected from line drawings of stimuli.
- Preference hierarchies were established based on approach and touch responses (tangible) or pointing (pictorial).
- A free operant response assessment was used to confirm the reinforcing efficacy of items identified by both methods.
Main Results:
- Both tangible and pictorial assessments generated similar preference hierarchies for 3 out of 4 participants.
- Items identified as highly preferred through both assessment methods functioned effectively as reinforcers.
- This suggests a strong concordance between the two assessment modalities.
Conclusions:
- Pictorial preference assessments can serve as a viable and efficient alternative to tangible assessments for individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Both methods reliably identify effective reinforcers, supporting their use in behavioral interventions.
- Further research can explore the application of pictorial assessments across diverse populations and settings.
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