Rapid Assessment of Attention Types for the Treatment of Attention-Maintained Problem Behavior

Strohmeier et al. (2018) built a 10-minute test called RAAT. It tries different kinds of attention—like praise, eye contact, or a quick scold—to see which one a child will work for.

The team ran the test when problem behavior was kept by attention. They wanted to know which attention form could later be used to reward good behavior instead.

RAAT quickly picked the attention type that made kids choose a new, prosocial response. Problem behavior dropped when that exact attention was given for the replacement skill.

The whole process took about 10 minutes and gave a clear answer for treatment planning.

Livingston et al. (2021) ran the same RAAT steps, but had parents give the attention. Results matched—parents could find the winning attention form in under five minutes. This direct replication shows RAAT works outside the clinic.

Buitelaar et al. (1999) used RAMS, an earlier rapid test, to hunt for any natural reinforcer that reduced aggression. RAAT narrows the search to attention only and is even faster.

LMcQuaid et al. (2024) blended a trial-based FA with a competing-stimulus check in 42 minutes. Their tool also flags attention as a reinforcer, but RAAT stays shorter by skipping escape, tangible, and sensory trials.

You no longer have to guess whether praise, a high-five, or a calm correction will work. Run RAAT once, get the answer, and build your intervention around that single attention form. It saves session time and starts treatment faster.