Functional analysis and treatment of higher level restricted repetitive behavior displayed by individuals with autism.

This study looked at repetitive behaviors like arranging and ordering objects in four autistic people. Researchers used detailed assessments to understand why these behaviors happened and found they were self-rewarding. They then provided alternative activities that competed with the repetitive behaviors. The treatments worked for all four participants and the skills carried over to new situations.

This case study examined functional analysis and treatment approaches for higher-level restricted repetitive behaviors (arranging and ordering) in four autistic individuals. Researchers applied the Hagopian et al. (2020) treatment model, originally developed for automatically maintained self-injury, to these repetitive behaviors. The study involved comprehensive pretreatment assessments including preference assessments, functional analyses, process-versus-product analyses, and augmented competing stimulus assessments. Results indicated that efficacious treatments were identified for all participants, consisting of competing stimuli determined through augmented competing stimulus assessments.

Generalization probes were conducted following treatment implementation.

Suggests that comprehensive functional analysis approaches can effectively address higher-level repetitive behaviors in autism. The use of competing stimuli identified through systematic assessment may provide a viable intervention framework for clinicians working with similar presentations.

Small sample size (n=4) limits generalizability. Case study design without control group. Specific details about treatment duration, maintenance effects, and long-term outcomes not provided in the abstract.

To date, only one behavior analytic study has systematically examined the use of functional analysis to assess arranging and ordering, which is a form of higher level restricted and repetitive behavior (Rodriguez et al., 2012). The researchers found that arranging and ordering was automatically maintained and developed efficacious interventions that involved some form of prompting and response disruption. The current study applied the Hagopian et al. (2020) treatment model (i.e., augmented competing stimulus assessments) for automatically maintained self-injury to higher level repetitive behavior. A variety of pretreatment assessments including preference assessments, functional analyses, process-versus-product analyses, and augmented competing stimulus assessments were conducted to inform treatment.

Following treatment, generalization probes were conducted. For all four participants, efficacious treatments were identified that consisted of providing competing stimuli identified via the augmented competing stimulus assessment.