Reinforcement Arrangements for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Reinforcement is a process by which a consequence, a reinforcer, follows a response and increases the future likelihood of that response under similar conditions. Parents, teachers, clinicians, and other caregivers use reinforcement-based procedures in educational and therapeutic arrangements for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to increase desirable behavior and to reduce the frequency of undesirable behavior. The precision and ultimate success of these procedures depends on selecting the right reinforcers and arranging their delivery in an effective fashion. Thus, understanding how to identify and arrange reinforcers, as well as the variables that influence the effectiveness of reinforcers, are critical to designing and implementing effective reinforcement-based interventions. This chapter discusses research on the many factors that influence the effectiveness of reinforcement. We begin with a brief introduction to different types of reinforcers, basic reinforcement schedules, and methods commonly used to assess reinforcer efficacy. We then discuss how to identify and use reinforcers in applied settings. This section will cover types of preference assessment methods, considerations in the selection of preference assessment methods, and what stimuli to include in the assessment. We will then examine research on the stability of preferences and reinforcer value over time, factors that influence the efficacy of reinforcers, and potential solutions to changes in reinforcer value. The final section will focus specifically on response-reinforcer relations in persons with ASD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)