Functional analysis of aberrant behavior maintained by automatic reinforcement: assessments of specific sensory reinforcers.

Logan et al. (2000) tested a new way to find the exact sensory payoff for self-injury and stereotypy. Two males took part. The team first ran a functional analysis to confirm the behaviors ran on automatic reinforcement. Next they let the men sample different sensory items—vibration, music, squeeze balls—while they recorded which items matched the behavior’s sensory channel.

They then built a DRO plan that gave the matched sensory item for time without the problem behavior. Auditory items paid off for stereotypy; tactile items paid off for self-injury. The design was an ABAB reversal so the effect could be seen quickly.

When the DRO reward matched the behavior’s sensory channel, both men’s problem behavior dropped to near zero. When the reward was removed, the behavior returned. When it was reinstated, behavior fell again. Stereotypy was best cut by music; self-injury was best cut by vibration.

Rooker et al. (2018) reviewed 33 years of automatic-reinforcement SIB studies and found that noncontingent reinforcement works best when items come from a competing-stimulus assessment, not from a simple preference test. Logan et al. (2000) foreshadowed this by matching the DRO item to the exact sensory channel.

Verriden et al. (2025) later compared CSA-selected items with preference items under NCR and showed CSA items won for most kids. Their data extend the 2000 finding: modality match beats general preference.

Virues‐Ortega et al. (2022) offered a short-cut: after any automatic-reinforcement FA, pick the condition with the lowest problem rate and use its sensory item as treatment. This operationalizes the 2000 idea for busy clinics.

You can copy this package in one afternoon. Run a brief alone condition to confirm automatic reinforcement, test a handful of sensory items, then set a DRO timer that delivers the matched item for clean intervals. No need for big preference assessments or dense FCT. If the behavior returns, you know the reward lost its punch—swap in a new modality-matched item. This keeps treatment fresh and avoids escalation.