An Evaluation of Noncontingent Reinforcement for the Treatment of Challenging Behavior with Multiple Functions

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative treatment effects of different forms of noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) on challenging behavior with multiple functions. We first conducted a functional analysis of challenging behavior exhibited by a child with autism. The results of the functional analysis suggested that challenging behavior served multiple functions. Next, we conducted a treatment evaluation in which we (a) compared the effects of NCR with attention to NCR with attention and preferred activities in the absence of work activities and (b) compared the effects of NCR with attention and NCR with attention and preferred activities during work activities. The results of the treatment evaluation showed that NCR with attention and preferred activities was more effective at decreasing challenging behavior than NCR with attention both when work was not implemented and during work situations. The current results provide support for the use of noncontingent multiple functional reinforcers to treat multiply-maintained challenging behavior.