Analysis of Article about the Preferences Made by Students with Autism by Kodak and Trosclair - Essay Example

The researchers made sure that they incorporate all the variables that are required to evaluate the preferences made by the participants. The research analyzed the factors that influence choice by allowing the students to choose from reinforcers such as food items and a break from work. The activity was divided into phases.

The activity was divided into phases. For phase 1, the students were given a tight schedule and requirements, which were required to be fulfilled and they were asked to pick one coupon. They were allowed to opt between the food items and a break (Kodak, et. al, 2007). Students showed a preference for food items in phase 1. In phase 2, many tangible items were also added to the second reinforcer of a break in order to check the preference of students.

In the second phase, the children showed a preference for food items again. In phase 3, the students were allowed to choose between the options a number of times by adding to one option or minimizing from another option such as the food item of high preference was changed to low preference food item or the break time was facilitated with toys, adult attention and so on (Kodak, et. al, 2007). The results obtained from the three phases were assessed by the researchers against each other in order to know what choices are effective in improving the problem behavior of the child.

The children showed a preference for food items when a brief break was available with less facilitation. However, in later phases, when different tangible items were added to the break, the children also showed a preference for the break. According to Kodak, Lerman, Volkert, and Trosclair (2007), the inappropriate behavior of children can be improved if highly preferred items are used by teachers and parents as children with autism show a clear indication of diversion towards highly preferred items.

The reinforcers that are highly preferred should be employed for the treatment of problem behavior of children. People should be able to assess individual needs by evaluating the preference of each and every child with developmental disabilities or autism.