| The existing literature suggests two possible explanations for the positive effects of choice. Choice may improve challenging behavior because the opportunity to obtain a preferred activity is provided (Fisher, Thompson, Piazza, Crosland, & Gotjen, 1997). Choice may improve behavior because the act of making a choice has a positive reinforcement value which is either independent of, or in addition to, the stimulus that is chosen (Fisher et al., 1997, Kern, Mantegna, Vorndran, Bailin, & Hilt, 2001). The purpose of this study was to (a) identify the antecedents of choice and preference associated with the challenging behavior maintained by negative reinforcement, and (b) develop appropriate intervention strategies based on the results of the functional analysis and antecedent analysis.;A total of four children participated in this study. Challenging behavior, defined for each student, was measured during three different phases: functional analysis, antecedent analysis, and treatment analysis. The functional analysis determined that challenging behavior was maintained by negative reinforcement. Following the functional analysis, a task preference assessment identified high and low preferred tasks to be examined during the antecedent analysis. An antecedent analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of preference, choice, and no choice on challenging behavior. The purpose of the antecedent analysis was to empirically demonstrate the two possible explanations for the effectiveness of choice. Finally, a treatment for each participant was designed based on information gathered during the functional analysis and antecedent analysis.;The results of the functional analysis showed that all participants engaged in challenging behavior to escape tasks. The findings of the antecedent analysis suggested different patterns of responding. For one participant, the preference was associated with decreases in challenging behavior, while another participant responded to the antecedent variables of choice. A third participant engaged in lower rates of challenging behavior when provided with no opportunities for choice. Results of the antecedent analysis for the final participant were inconclusive. Treatments were developed based on the functional analysis and antecedent analysis results, which resulted in a 70% average reduction in challenging behavior for three of the four participants. |
