Effects of Preferred and Non-preferred Concurrent Activities during Self-Control Training in a School for Autism

Abstract

Objectives. Self-control training is comprised of a progressively lengthened delay to reinforcement, during which the individual can engage in some activity until the temporally distant reinforcer is provided.  Though availability of an activity concurrent to the delay has been shown to increase self-control, little is known about relative effects of differing qualities of activities.  The purpose of the study was to examine differential effects of preferred and non-preferred activities during delays in self-control training. 

Methods. Using a multiple baseline design, three students with autism consistently demonstrated impulsive choices and low engagement in tasks.  During self-control training, participants chose between a smaller, immediate reinforcer and a larger reinforcer following a short delay with an alternating preferred and non-preferred response requirement.  After success was observed in either preferred or non-preferred conditions, the delay associated with that condition was progressively lengthened.  Last, participants chose which activity was available during the delay, and choices were monitored as delays associated with chosen conditions were extended.

Results. During training, two participants demonstrated near exclusive self-control choices. All three increased delay tolerance at similar rates regardless of activity preference, and more frequently chose the progressive/preferred alternative than the progressive/non-preferred alternative though delay requirements were greater.

Conclusions. Self-control can be established by starting with minimal delays to reinforcement and progressively extending the delay after success is observed, regardless of whether a work- or preferred-activity is available during the delay.  However, providing an option for a preferred activity may help to “bridge the gap” to more temporally distant reinforcers.