Pairing, Preferences and Communication Temptations

What are preferences in the context of ABA?

• Items or activities that are always reinforcers
• Stimuli more likely to be selected or consumed when available
• Fixed interests that never change
• Behaviors that clients perform during assessments

Why is it important to regularly reassess a client’s preferences?

• Preferences are static and do not change.
• Preferences influence reinforcement efficacy and change over time.
• Preferences are determined by the therapist and do not require reassessment.
• Preferences only affect escape-maintained behaviors.

Which of the following is an example of an indirect preference assessment?

• Free Operant Observation
• Paired-Stimulus Presentation
• RAISD survey
• Single-Stimulus Presentation

What is the purpose of pairing in ABA?

• To establish yourself as a conditioned reinforcer
• To increase demands on the client during sessions
• To immediately implement teaching targets
• To determine the client’s physical state

Which of the following is a common pitfall in pairing?

• Following the client’s lead
• Focusing on unconditional reinforcement
• Pairing with demands
• Observing client cues

What does an establishing operation (EO) do?

• Increases the value of a reinforcer
• Decreases the likelihood of a behavior
• Reduces the need for pairing
• Eliminates the need for preference assessments

What is a core principle of NET?

• Focusing only on structured teaching moments
• Using the client’s motivation and preferences in teaching
• Avoiding naturalistic or playful activities
• Prioritizing discrete trial training over all other methods

What is an essential step before initiating NET?

• Ask the client to select materials
• Begin the activity without any preparation
• Brainstorm and gather materials based on client preferences
• Only focus on non-preferred items

How does “delay assistance” function as a communication temptation?

• By giving the client an item they can access easily
• By offering multiple choices at once
• By presenting an item that requires help to engage with
• By starting and stopping a routine

What is the main goal of using communication temptations?

• To focus on structured teaching only
• To expose the child to matching
• To increase the child's language in natural communication opportunities
• To prioritize non-preferred activities