Types of motivating operations in interventions with problem behavior: a systematic review.

Simó-Pinatella et al. (2013) read every paper they could find on changing motivation to treat problem behavior.

They kept 31 studies that worked with people who had intellectual disability.

Each study tested a motivating operation—something that made problem behavior more or less likely.

When the team grouped the studies by behavior function, a clear pattern showed up.

For escape behavior, taking away the reason to leave (an abolishing operation) cut the problem.

For access behavior, giving a taste first (an establishing operation) made the treatment work faster.

Carr et al. (2002) had already shown that free toys dropped attention-maintained behavior during a single FA.

David’s review says the same toy trick works, but only if attention is the true pay-off.

Aznar et al. (2005) used competing items during tooth-brushing and saw big drops without escape extinction.

The review adds that the drop happens because the toys abolish the motivation to bite or hit.

Spriggs et al. (2016) warned that new meds can change the function, so rerun your FA.

David agrees: if the drug alters motivation, the old EO or AO plan may miss the mark.

You can write quicker, kinder behavior plans when you pair the right operation with the right function.

Before treatment, ask: does my client want out or want in? Then pick abolish or establish.

Check the function again after any med change, and tweak the MO plan the same day.