Identification and modification of a response-class hierarchy.

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Applied Behavior Analysis

Background:

• Challenging behaviors in individuals with moderate intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often serve an escape function.
• Understanding the sequence and covariation of these behaviors is crucial for effective intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of extinction and negative reinforcement on the latency of response-class members.
• To investigate the hierarchical relationship and predictable order of escape-maintained behaviors.

Main Methods:

• Functional analysis to identify the maintaining variables of screaming, aggression, and self-injury.
• Therapist-delivered escape from demands contingent on a specific behavior to assess latency changes.
• Expansion of the response class to include functionally equivalent vocalizations.

Main Results:

• Screams, aggression, and self-injury were confirmed as escape-maintained behaviors.
• A predictable order in the latency of these response-class members was observed.
• A functionally equivalent vocal response was successfully integrated into the response class.

Conclusions:

• The findings support a hierarchical relationship among escape-maintained behaviors.
• Understanding response covariation and sequence aids in developing targeted behavioral interventions for individuals with ASD.
• The study highlights the importance of considering the functional equivalence of behaviors in treatment planning.