The effects of noncontingently available alternative stimuli on functional analysis outcomes.

Two children who hit or screamed for adult attention took part in a regular functional analysis. The team added a twist: during the attention condition, highly preferred toys and an iPad sat on the table for free use.

The goal was simple. If the kids played with the free items instead of hitting, it would show that attention was truly driving the problem behavior.

When the toys and iPad were available, both kids almost stopped hitting and yelling. Problem behavior dropped to near zero even though the adult still sat nearby.

The free items worked like a sponge, soaking up the need for attention. Once the items were removed, the hitting came right back.

Podlesnik et al. (2017) later showed that if you keep the same alternative items in every session, the effect stays strong. Change the items and the benefit fades.

Aznar et al. (2005) moved the same idea into real life. They gave free sensory toys during tooth-brushing and saw big drops in multiply-controlled problem behavior.

Spackman et al. (2025) now run whole FAs over Zoom with parents giving free items at home. Their the kids also hit a large share less, showing the trick still works decades later.

Next time you run an FA, place a basket of the child’s favorite items in the attention condition. If problem behavior disappears, you have fast proof that attention is the fuel. Keep the same items across sessions to lock in the effect, then teach parents to use the same basket during chores or bedtime routines.