The role of task preference in the effectiveness of response interruption and redirection

The team tested response interruption and redirection (RIRD) with four children who used a lot of vocal stereotypy.

They gave each child two kinds of quick tasks during RIRD: high-preference and low-preference.

Then they watched which task type cut the stereotypy more.

Low-preference tasks won. They lowered vocal stereotypy for all four kids.

High-preference tasks helped only one child.

In three out of four cases, the boring tasks worked better.

Lydon et al. (2013) warned that RIRD gives only partial drops in stereotypy and still lacks enough proof to call it evidence-based. Sloman’s 2024 data agree: stereotypy fell, but no one reached zero.

Rojahn et al. (2012) reviewed dozens of vocal-stereotypy studies and found no clear rule for picking an intervention. Sloman adds a new rule: try low-preference tasks first when you use RIRD.

Strohmeier et al. (2018) showed that fine-tuning reinforcer type matters. Sloman extends that idea to the tasks you insert during RIRD.

Next time you run RIRD, skip the child’s favorite puzzle or iPad game. Hand them a so-so task like stacking blocks or simple sorting. This small swap may give you the biggest drop in vocal stereotypy with almost no extra work.