Preference Assessment: Exciting Ways to Understand Children's Choices

What type of preference assessment is described when a child chooses a ball and the assessment continues with the remaining items?

a. Multiple stimulus w/o replacement (MSWO) b. Multiple stimulus w/ replacement (MSW) c. Free operant d. Paired choice

Answer:

The scenario described is a Multiple Stimulus without Replacement (MSWO) assessment.

When a child chooses a ball during a preference assessment and the assessment continues with the remaining items, it is a Multiple Stimulus without Replacement (MSWO) assessment. In this type of assessment, the chosen item (the ball in this case) is removed from the set, and the assessment proceeds with the rest of the items.

During an MSWO assessment, the child is presented with multiple items and is allowed to select one item at a time. Once an item is chosen, it is taken out of the options, and the child is presented with the remaining items to choose from. This process repeats until the child has made selections from all the items or decides to stop participating.

It is important to note that MSWO is different from Multiple Stimulus with Replacement (MSW) assessments, where the chosen item is returned to the set after selection and can be chosen again in subsequent rounds.

A Free operant involves the child engaging with the environment freely while behaviors are observed, and Paired choice assessments present two items at a time for the child to choose between.

Understanding the different types of preference assessments can help practitioners and caregivers tailor interventions and support for children based on their preferences and choices.