Effects of an idiosyncratic stimulus on functional analysis of vocal stereotypy in two settings

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of an idiosyncratic stimulus (Legos® plastic blocks) on vocal stereotypy by a child with pervasive developmental disorder during functional analysis sessions conducted in analogue and natural settings.

Methods: The presence and absence of the idiosyncratic stimulus was controlled in a multielement experimental design that incorporated four functional analysis conditions.

Results: The background presence of the idiosyncratic stimulus was associated with a higher percentage of vocal stereotypy in all functional analysis sessions in both settings when compared with phases where the stimulus was absent.

Conclusions: The presence or absence of specific stimuli can alter the results of a functional analysis and produce inaccurate conclusions about the environmental conditions that occasion problem behavior.

• Functional analysis
• idiosyncratic stimuli
• vocal stereotypy

Acknowledgements

This study was conducted at the May Center for Child Development, Randolph, MA, USA. The authors acknowledge the classroom teachers who conducted the functional analysis procedures.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors are alone responsible for the content and writing of the paper.