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AbstracteSports is a newly rising field with rapidly increasing cultural validity. Despite the wide array of similarities between eSports and traditional sports, behavioral skill acquisition interventions have yet to be applied to video game skills. Although video feedback has been established as effective for traditional sports, further research is needed to validate its efficacy as a standalone intervention. In this study, the effects of video feedback were analyzed with three participants in a nonconcurrent multiple baseline across subjects design. Participants performed a specific in‐game behavior (an anti‐air attack) in a controlled match against the researcher, then viewed recordings of their performance and received positive and corrective feedback from the researchers. The generalization of the skill improvement was evaluated through the rate of successful skill implementation in ranked online matches. Results showed that the video feedback intervention improved performance over baseline for all participants and generalized to online matches.

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AbstractWe evaluated the effects of a discrimination training procedure for establishing praise as a reinforcer for three children with autism spectrum disorder. After establishing two praise words as discriminative stimuli and two nonsense words as S‐deltas, we evaluated whether the stimuli then functioned as reinforcers by presenting each stimulus as a consequence for a new response. The results demonstrated that previously neutral praise words functioned as reinforcers and nonsense words did not. As in previous studies on establishing reinforcers, the effects were transitory, and praise words did not continue to function as reinforcers after repeated exposure without discrimination training. Recommendations are provided for future research and maintaining reinforcement effects.

AbstractA competing stimulus assessment is used to identify stimuli that are associated with a low level of challenging behavior and a high level of engagement. These stimuli are often used as a treatment component for challenging behavior that is maintained by automatic reinforcement. One limitation of implementing competing stimulus assessments is that they may be time consuming. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy and efficiency of a latency‐based competing stimulus assessment. During the asssessment, a therapist presented potential competing stimuli to the participants and contingent on the first occurrence of challenging behavior, the trial was terminated. The results of a brief treatment evaluation indicated that stimuli that were associated with the longest latency to challenging behavior were more effective in competing with challenging behavior relative to stimuli that were associated with shorter latencies. However, procedural modifications were necessary for one participant. The use of latency‐based measures improved the efficiency of conducting a competing stimulus assessment.

AbstractPairing is a commonly recommended practice used to build rapport and create positive therapeutic environments. However, there are limited evaluations of training procedures to teach pairing skills to direct‐care staff. The purpose of the present study was to formalize and improve the efficiency of the training process for the initial stages of pairing using video modeling with embedded voice‐over instructions plus performance feedback. Participants included three dyads of behavior technicians and children with autism. The results indicated that the training package increased the consistency of pairing implementation. These outcomes were maintained in a novel setting and for up to 4 weeks following training. We also measured relevant child behaviors such as joint attention, engagement, indices of happiness, and calm. Specific areas for future research are described.

AbstractOne of the most common treatments for severe challenging behavior involves placing the challenging behavior on extinction and differentially reinforcing an alternative response (DRA). However, extinction is not always feasible and may be unsafe or impractical to implement in some circumstances. Thus, implementing a DRA without extinction intervention may be necessary for some cases. Currently, the extent to which DRA without extinction produces durable treatment outcomes, particularly as it relates to the resurgence of challenging behavior, is unclear. The present study investigated resurgence following DRA with and without extinction using a three‐phase resurgence evaluation in a translational human operant model with college students as participants. All participants demonstrated resurgence across both experimental groups. Although there were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence, magnitude, or persistence of resurgence between groups, levels of resurgence magnitude were relatively higher in the DRA‐without‐extinction group than in the DRA‐with‐extinction group. Clinical implications of these findings and directions for future human operant investigations of resurgence are discussed.

AbstractChildren with pediatric feeding disorder may refuse to consume an adequate variety and/or volume of food to maintain expected growth. They can consume food but may actively or passively refuse, resulting in escape or avoidance of eating. Behavioral interventions like positive reinforcement with escape extinction can increase consumption. However, sometimes these interventions are insufficient, especially in treating passive refusal. In these cases, physical guidance may be used to prompt an open mouth to deposit food. Research indicates open‐mouth prompts are effective and rated as acceptable. This study replicated an existing physical guidance procedure, the finger prompt, and compared its efficacy and acceptability with that of a spoon prompt. This study extended research by defining and measuring passive refusal as a dependent variable and assessing social validity among different stakeholders and times. Both prompts were effective in treating food refusal, and caregivers rated the finger prompt as more preferred.

AbstractContingency management (CM), which involves the delivery of incentives upon meeting behavioral goals, has the potential to improve substance use treatment outcomes. The intervention allows for flexibility through numerous modifiable components including changes to incentive magnitude and schedule, target behavior, and intervention structure. Unfortunately, numerous changes in the substance use landscape have occurred in the past 10 to 15 years: Substances are more potent, overdose risk has increased, new substances and methods of use have been introduced, and substance classes are increasingly being intentionally and unintentionally mixed. These developments potentially undermine CM outcomes. We explored recent substance use changes due to legislative, regulatory, social, and economic factors for four substance classes: stimulants, opioids, tobacco, and cannabis. We discuss potential adjustments to the modifiable components of CM for future research in response to these changes. By continually adapting to the shifting substance use landscape, CM can maintain optimal efficacy.

ABSTRACT Two assessments derived from the applied behavior analysis (ABA) literature were conducted to understand rugby players' preferences for drills and the context in which their engagement was inconsistent. First, 32 female varsity rugby players aged 18 to 25 participated in a survey‐based preference assessment. Next, 20 of the same players participated in an on‐field response restriction (RR) preference assessment. Results from the survey‐based preference assessment and the on‐field response restriction preference assessment were consistent. Specifically, offensive and no‐to‐light contact drills were preferred over defensive and heavy contact drills. Implications of these findings are discussed in the context of group‐based preference assessments and how using ABA procedures may benefit varsity sports coaching to improve athlete performance.

AbstractDespite the efficacy of behavioral interventions, resurgence of challenging behavior (e.g., aggression, self‐injury) following successful treatment can still occur. Applied work has focused on identifying treatment‐related variables thought to affect the occurrence and magnitude of resurgence. The current study describes the relation between several variables (i.e., phase duration, response rates in baseline and treatment, obtained rates of reinforcement, downshift in reinforcement step size) and resurgence in a retrospective consecutive controlled case series of 46 treatment applications for challenging behavior conducted in an inpatient setting. Only the downshift in reinforcement (e.g., schedule‐thinning) step size was correlated with the magnitude of resurgence. These results are consistent with recent findings suggesting that treatment duration and other factors have inconsistent effects on resurgence of challenging behavior.