Abstract
Study objective: The present study examined factors that affect preferences of children with developmental disabilities. Design: Prior to the start of the choice evaluation, a paired-item preference assessment was conducted to identify preferred cards to be included in the choice assessments. During the multiple option, correct responses resulted in praise and access to 5 identical cards from which the participant could choose 1 card. During the single option, correct responses resulted in praise and access to 1 card, identical to those available in the multiple option. During the control option, correct responding resulted in praise only. Sessions were divided into 15 trials. Setting: A room in a private-sector facility. Participants: A 4-year-old with Asperger's disorder and a 6-year-old with Autistic disorder. Independent variable: The number of cards from which to choose. Measure: Task selection. Results: The children almost always chose the single option in Study 1. In Study 2, the number of cards in the multiple option was first increased from 5 to 10, then decreased again to 5, and finally again increased to 10. One of the children chose the multiple option more than the single option in all 3 of these conditions. Conclusion: The increase in the number of cards may have temporarily enhanced the reinforcing effect of the participants' choices.
