# Generalized target behavior reductions and maintenance of effects following an augmented competing stimulus assessment sequence

## TL;DR

This study explores how modified stimulus assessments can reduce repetitive behaviors and maintain these effects over time.

## Contribution

The study introduces an augmented competing-stimulus assessment to address variability in treating different subtypes of stereotypic behaviors.

## Key findings

- Two participants showed sustained reduction in target behaviors across settings.
- The A-CSA procedures were more effective for certain subtypes of stereotypic behaviors.
- Functional analyses helped identify which subtypes required procedural modifications.

## Abstract

Competing stimulus assessments are one technology that aids in the development of treatment for automatically reinforced behavior. However, competing stimulus assessments do not always yield robust results. Stereotypic behaviors of different subtypes may require procedural modifications to successfully identify competing stimuli. The current investigation included functional analyses to determine whether participant responding aligned with proposed subtypes for such behaviors. Next, we implemented augmented competing‐stimulus‐assessment (A‐CSA) procedures across target and generalization stimuli to determine whether (a) responding across either subtype was more likely to require intensive modifications and (b) the A‐CSA procedures promoted generalized target behavior reduction within stimulus classes. Lastly, a treatment evaluation was conducted to determine the durability of these findings and the generalization of the reduced target behavior to other settings. The general applicability of the subtyping model remains unclear, but two participants demonstrated maintenance of competition effects.