Differential Reinforcement of Other Behaviors to Treat Challenging Behaviors Among Children With Autism: A Systematic and Quality Review.
Regan et al. (2018) bundles 45 studies into a one-stop DRO quality guide for kids with autism.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Weston et al. (2018) hunted every DRO paper for kids with autism. They found 45 studies and graded each one with CEC quality rules.
The team asked: Which DRO setups work? Which ones flop? They lined up the evidence so BCBAs can pick the best plan.
What they found
The review gives a map, not a score. It lists what parts of DRO are solid and what parts still need tests.
No single study had perfect marks, but together they show DRO can cut problem behavior when done right.
How this fits with other research
Wilder et al. (2023) ran a fresh test after the review came out. They showed fixed and variable momentary DRO both work, so you can let caregivers pick the easier one.
O'Brien et al. (2023) found that when DRO fails to keep kids engaged, switching to noncontingent reinforcement can save the day. This adds a clear next step the review did not cover.
Logan et al. (2000) proved you must match the DRO item to the sensory payoff. Their small study is one brick in the wall Regan et al. later surveyed.
Why it matters
Use the review as a checklist before you write a DRO plan. Pair it with the newer tip: if behavior is automatic, run a quick sensory test first, then choose fixed or variable DRO based on caregiver comfort. If engagement crashes, pivot to NCR while you regroup.
Get CEUs on This Topic — Free
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ on-demand CEUs including ethics, supervision, and clinical topics like this one. Plus a new live CEU every Wednesday.
Open the review table, check your current DRO plan against the quality markers, and adjust any missing pieces.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
This review summarizes the literature regarding differential reinforcement of other behaviors (DRO) to treat challenging behavior among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and determines the quality of studies among the current literature according to the 2014 Council for Exceptional Children (CEC): Standards for Evidence-Based Practices in Special Education. Studies that focused on the use of DRO in the treatment of challenging behavior for individuals with ASD were included for systematic analysis. Forty-five studies were identified for inclusion in this review and were evaluated using the eight quality indicators described by the CEC. To the authors' knowledge, this is the only systematic review of the literature that evaluates DRO as an intervention for individuals diagnosed with ASD. Principle findings, practical recommendations, and areas of future research are discussed.
Behavior modification, 2018 · doi:10.1177/0145445517743487