An Evaluation of an Electronic Picture-Based Multiple-Stimulus-Without-Replacement Preference Assessment

Abstract

Reinforcers are critical for skill acquisition and behavior reduction for children with intellectual and developmental disorders (IDD). Identifying reinforcers is often a routine part of the assessment and treatment development process (Hagopian et al., 2004). To date, no studies have examined the efficacy of using pictures of edibles in an electronic format (e.g., pictures of food on a tablet) to identify preferred edibles. Thus, the purpose of this study is to extend the literature on preference assessment modalities using technology by examining the extent to which results of multiple-stimulus-without-replacement (MSWO) preference assessments using electronic pictures as selection stimuli (and without contingent access to edibles for selection) correspond to standard MSWO assessments using edibles as selection stimuli (with contingent access for selection). Additionally, reinforcer assessments were conducted to assess validity of the results for both stimulus preference assessment (SPA) modalities. A secondary purpose was to assess prerequisite skills that may be necessary to perform accurately in an electronic-picture preference assessment. Overall, results suggest that the electronic-picture modality was effective for four of the five participants; however, two of the four participants required modifications to the reinforcer assessment procedure to reveal efficacy. Future research with more participants (including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is warranted.