Employing a Fixed-Lean Multiple Schedule in the Treatment of Challenging Behavior for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Stevens et al. (2018) tested a fixed-lean multiple schedule with kids with autism. The goal was to keep problem behavior low while thinning reinforcement.

They added an extra stimulus during the lean component to see if it helped. Caregivers later said how easy and helpful the plan felt.

Challenging behavior stayed low and mands stayed clear across the fixed-lean schedule. The added stimulus did not improve anything, so it can be dropped.

Parents gave high social-validity scores, meaning they liked the plan and would use it again.

Kittler et al. (2004) first showed that starting lean beats dense-to-lean thinning. Stevens et al. (2018) built on that by placing the lean schedule inside a multiple schedule for easier stimulus control.

Chesbrough et al. (2024) later confirmed the speed edge of fixed-lean over dense-to-lean, strengthening the rule: jump straight to the terminal schedule.

Exline et al. (2024) extended the same multiple-schedule logic to telehealth. Caregivers coached over Zoom ran the plan at home and transferred control to everyday cues, proving the idea works outside clinic walls.

You can safely start with a lean multiple schedule during FCT. It keeps problem behavior low, keeps mands strong, and saves weeks of slow thinning. Skip extra visual cues if they serve no function. Coach caregivers over telehealth if travel is tough; the schedule still holds.