Identification of alternative instructional methods when physical guidance is contraindicated.

Abstract

Physical guidance is a common treatment component to treat destructive behavior reinforced by escape from demands. Despite its demonstrated effectiveness in behavior reduction and skill acquisition programming, physical guidance may be contraindicated in some situations (e.g., touch aversion, large stature, history of physical abuse). The present study systematically evaluated the efficacy of alternative instructional strategies to teach chained tasks to four participants. A multiple opportunity probe (MOP), a single opportunity probe (SOP), and physical guidance were used to teach three equally matched arbitrary chained tasks in a multiple baseline design. Although both physical guidance and the MOP resulted in mastery, all participants mastered tasks more efficiently using the MOP and participants preferred the instructional methods without physical guidance (i.e., SOP, MOP). The MOP was then used to efficiently teach each participant three generalization tasks. Results suggest the utility of the MOP as a socially valid alternative to physical guidance.