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. 2022 Sep 21;16(3):745-754.
doi: 10.1007/s40617-022-00743-3. eCollection 2023 Sep.

Repetitive Speech and Problem Behavior: Functional Analysis of Precurrent Contingencies

Craig W Strohmeier  1   2 , Amanda Goetzel  1 , Sara Deinlein  1 , Jonathan D Schmidt  1   2
Affiliations

Repetitive Speech and Problem Behavior: Functional Analysis of Precurrent Contingencies

Craig W Strohmeier et al. Behav Anal Pract. .

Abstract

When mands and problem behavior co-occur within an individual's repertoire, a functional analysis of precurrent contingencies helps to identify any relation between the two responses, as well as the function of problem behavior. Repetitive behaviors may function similarly to mands and also co-occur with problem behavior; particularly when repetitive behavior is blocked, or when caregivers refrain from participating in repetitive behavior episodes (e.g., the repetitive behavior involves a verbal or physical interaction with a caregiver). The current study presents assessment and treatment results for two participants diagnosed with autism, who demonstrated repetitive speech and problem behavior. Informal observations suggested that problem behavior occurred when an adult failed to emit a specific response to the participant's repetitive speech. Functional analysis results confirmed the informal observations and suggested that problem behavior functioned as a precurrent response to increase the probability of reinforcement for repetitive speech. We report treatment results and discuss the application of precurrent contingency analyses for problem behavior and repetitive behavior.

Keywords: Precurrent contingency; Functional analysis; Problem behavior; Repetitive behavior.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of InterestOn behalf of all authors, the corresponding author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Functional Analysis Results for Sandy (Left Panels) and Ryan (Right Panels). Top panels depict responses per minute of self-injurious behavior (Sandy) and aggression (Ryan). Bottom panels depict responses per minute of repetitive speech
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Responses per Minute of Self-Injurious Behavior (Top Panel) and Repetitive Speech (Bottom Panel) during Sandy’s Treatment Evaluation
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Responses per Minute of Aggression (Top Panel) and Repetitive Speech (Bottom Panel) during Ryan’s Treatment Evaluation. Open diamonds depict repetitive speech during the SD component and closed diamonds depict repetitive speech during the SΔ
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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