An analysis of mand preference across different stimulus condition

In a two-experiment study, I evaluated mand preferences within a functional communication training (FCT) program for 2 individuals with developmental disabilities who engaged in problem behavior (Experiment 1). I then evaluated individual mand preferences across different stimulus conditions within an extended FCT treatment program for 2 different children with developmental disabilities who engaged in problem behavior (Experiment 2). Three phases were conducted in each experiment. In Phase 1 of Experiment 1, a functional analysis was conducted to identify the variables maintaining problem behavior. In Phase 2, FCT was conducted within reversal or multielement designs. During FCT, participants were taught to use two novel mands (microswitch and picture card) to request positive reinforcement that maintained problem behavior. During Phase 3, participants could use either mand to request the reinforcer within a concurrent schedules design. Both participants successfully learned to use either mand to access reinforcement in Phase 2, and both also showed clear preferences for one mand over the other in Phase 3. In Experiment 2, Phases 1 and 2 also consisted of a functional analysis and an FCT treatment program, respectively. During FCT, the 2 participants could use either a novel mand (play card) or other existing mands (signs or words that were in their current repertoires) to request reinforcement. FCT always involved the concurrent presentation of novel and existing mands. During Phase 3 of Experiment 2, the use of existing mands was evaluated when the word card was either present or absent within a reversal design. The results of Phase 2 showed that the word card was used more frequently than either signs or words to access reinforcement. During Phase 3, both participants used their signs or words more frequently when the word card was absent. The overall results of Experiments 1 and 2 suggest that (a) some individuals with developmental disabilities exhibit clear and consistent preferences for the topography of mand used in FCT programs, and (b) the presence of a communication card may function as a discriminative stimulus for different topographies of mands.