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| Implementation of Stimulus Preference Assessments for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities |
| Friday, May 28, 2004 |
| 6:00 PM–9:00 PM |
| Berkeley |
| Area: PRA; Domain: Applied Research |
| CE Instructor: Francis J. Ciccone, M.D. |
| FRANCIS J. CICCONE (New England Center for Children), THERESA M. CLEVENGER (New England Center for Children), STEPHEN MADDEN (New England Center for Children), HEATHER MORRISON (New England Center for Children) |
| Description: The technology of identifying effective reinforcers is important to the field of applied behavior analysis. Identified reinforcers are presented contingent on appropriate behavior to increase the future probability of that behavior, or may be removed or withheld contingent on inappropriate behavior to decrease the future probability of that behavior. The effectiveness of these interventions depends on the potency of the reinforcers used. Identifying reinforcers for individuals with developmental disabilities can be difficult. Several systematic methods have been developed over the past several years to identify preferred stimuli for these individuals. These methods have been validated by subsequent reinforcer assessments, which demonstrated that highly preferred stimuli function effectively as reinforcers. In this workshop, participants will learn about several methods for systematically identifying potential reinforcers and will have the opportunity to practice and receive feedback on the use of these methods. Participants will receive information about how to select an appropriate type of assessment for his/her needs and how to incorporate the assessment results into applied settings. |
| Learning Objectives: At the completion of the workshop, participants will be able to: Learn the history of preference assessment procedures for individuals with autism and related developmental disabilities and will understand the rationale for conducting stimulus preference assessments. Conduct several types of stimulus preference assessments. Select the most appropriate type of stimulus preference assessment for the individual�s needs. Collect, interpret, and apply the data from stimulus preference assessments. Use preference assessment methods in applied settings. |
| Activities: Participants will be given a review of preference assessment literature and will receive instruction on the rationale for conducting preference assessments for individuals with autism and related developmental disabilities. Participants will receive instruction on how to conduct various types of preference assessments. Instruction will include videotaped and live demonstrations of preference assessment techniques, opportunity for participants to practice the techniques and receive feedback from the instructors. Participants will be shown how to collect assessment data, how to collect data on inter-observer agreement, and how to analyze the results and incorporate the results into programming. |
| Audience: Parents, para-professionals, and professionals who work directly with students with autism and other developmental disabilities who use instructional and/or behavioral techniques based on positive reinforcement. |
| Content Area: Practice |
| Instruction Level: Basic |