Preference assessment procedures for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Kittler et al. (2004) wrote a narrative review. They pulled together every published way to find reinforcers for people with developmental disabilities.

They looked at two big buckets: asking caregivers and watching what the person approaches. They said use both, not just one.

The paper does not give new data. It gives a map. The map says start with a caregiver chat, then test items in real time.

This combo catches things caregivers forget and items the client never saw before.

Heinicke et al. (2019) later checked 32 studies on picture, word, or video tests. They agree with P et al.—always test prerequisite skills and give the item after the choice. The 2004 map still works; the 2019 review just adds road signs.

Gaylord-Ross et al. (1995) seems to clash. They showed choice-based tests beat simple preference ranks for kids with visual impairments. P et al. did not separate the two. The gap is method depth, not a true fight. If a client can’t see, copy R et al. and run a choice test.

Whitehouse et al. (2014) took the same two-step idea and put it on a computer. Foster kids picked items on a tablet, then proved the items worked as reinforcers. The tech update keeps the 2004 logic intact.

You no longer have to guess what will work. Ask the caregiver for a quick list, then let the client play with or approach each item for five minutes. Keep the ones that get touched, looked at, or smiled at. Start your next session with one of those items and watch motivation rise.