Effects of fixed versus random condition sequencing during multielement functional analyses.

The team ran two kinds of multielement functional analyses on seven children with developmental delay. One FA used a fixed order: ignore first, then attention, play, and last demand. The other FA mixed those same four conditions in a random order every day.

Each child went through both types. The analysts watched which schedule showed clearer differences in problem behavior.

Four of the seven kids gave clearer, faster results when the conditions stayed in the fixed ignore-attention-play-demand order. The other three looked the same either way.

Fixed sequencing did not hurt any child and it helped most. The authors say you can use the fixed order as your normal FA routine.

Older lab work once said random is better. Downing et al. (1976) taught pigeons with random food-stimulus mixes and saw stronger stimulus control than with fixed mixes. Their birds needed variety; the kids here needed order.

Palya (1985) also found that pigeons tracked colored lights only when the six-second color order stayed the same. That basic finding lines up with the new clinical result: orderly cues help learners spot what comes next.

Norris et al. (2024) recently showed that picking the strongest reinforcer makes treatment easier. A fixed FA that pinpoints the function faster gives you that strong reinforcer sooner.

If you run a multielement FA this week, try the fixed ignore-attention-play-demand order first. You may finish the assessment in fewer sessions and see cleaner differentiation. Clearer data mean quicker treatment decisions and less time spent in conditions that do not help.