AbstractFunctional analysis (Iwata,

Abstract
Functional analysis (Iwata, Dorsey, Slifer, Bauman, & Richman, 1982/1994) is a robust approach to
identifying function-based interventions for problem behavior, including self-injury, aggression, and destruction.
Such interventions, however, may be difficult for untrained caregivers to implement with fidelity in natural
environments. Further research is needed to identify simple antecedent strategies for promoting appropriate
behavior among children with significant problem behavior. The purpose of the current study was to utilize a
concurrent schedules arrangement to identify conditions under which two children with autism spectrum
disorder (ASD) and developmental delays who engaged in problem behaviors would choose to complete
academic tasks to earn access to preferred items. In both cases, problem behaviors were shown to be
sensitive to reinforcement in the forms of escape from task demands and access to preferred items. A
concurrent operant arrangement in which the participants could choose to complete work tasks to earn access
to preferred activities, or to take a break without demands or preferred items, was implemented. The schedule
requirements in the demand component were systematically increased across opportunities, while the amount
and type of reinforcement was kept constant. The results show, at the lowest levels of task demands, both
participants allocated more opportunities to the work option. At higher levels, however, both participants
allocated a majority of their choices to the break option. Despite the absence of preferred items in the break
component, no instances of problem behavior were observed following selection of the break option. This
indicates that this type of analysis could be used to identify conditions for compliance among individuals who
engage in escape- or multiply-maintained problem behaviors, without the need to provoke or reinforce problem
behavior. Limitations of the current study and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Keywords: Problem Behavior, Compliance, Positive and Negative Reinforcement.