2020 Volume 35 Issue 1 Pages 11-20
Study objective: To investigate the preferences of children who exhibited stereotyped behavior for toys that might produce sensory stimuli similar to their self-stimulatory behavior and hence might serve as a reinforcer comparable to the self-stimulatory behavior. Experimental design: In Study I, a preference assessment was carried out in order to identify a toy that might serve as a reinforcer. In Study II, a progressive ratio schedule was used to examine a preferred toy’s reinforcer value by comparing it to candy. The type of candy used was chosen based on interviews with the children’s parents and preference tests with the children. Setting: A playroom at a university. Participants: 3 boys with autism spectrum disorder and 1 boy with intellectual disabilities. The age range of the children was from 4 years 7 months to 6 years 10 months. Measures: In Study I, questionnaire scores and the number of times a toy was selected. In Study II, the number of times the button was pressed, and the progressive ratio break point. Independent variables: In Study I, the various toys; in Study II, the manner of delivery of the preferred toy and candy. Results: In Study I, 3 of the 4 children preferred 1 of the toys offered. In Study II, the results showed that the candy was a more powerful reinforcer for the children’s behavior than the preferred toy. Conclusion: It is possible that a toy can be used as a reinforcer with children who exhibit stereotyped behavior. However, in the present Study, the preferred toy’s reinforcer value was lower than that of the candy. Further research should evaluate toys’ ability to serve as reinforcers in other tasks.
