Competing Stimulus Assessments (CSAs) represent one of the most clinically practical pretreatment tools available to behavior analysts working with challenging behavior. Originally developed from preference assessment methodology, the CSA was designed to identify specific stimuli capable of reducing the frequency or severity of challenging behavior — not through direct suppression, but through reinforcer competition.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via RethinkBH
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Join Free →Competing Stimulus Assessments (CSA) are pretreatment assessments designed to identify stimuli associated with reductions in challenging behavior – ostensibly via reinforcer competition. We will discuss the how the CSA evolved from the preference assessment, how it differs from preference assessments, and discuss the many applications of the CSA for the treatment of challenging behavior. We will also discuss recent findings that demonstrate how the CSA can be augmented with other tactics to promote leisure skill development and improve outcomes.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1 | General |
Dr. Hagopian is a clinical psychologist and behavior analyst. He is the Program Director of theNeurobehavioral Programs at Kennedy Krieger, which includes outpatient and inpatient programsdesigned to serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities living with severechallenging behavior. He is Professor of Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School ofMedicine and Co-Director of the Behavioral Phenotyping Core of the Intellectual DisabilitiesResearch Center of Kennedy Krieger. Dr. Hagopian’s clinical and research focus is on understandingand treating severe challenging behavior among individuals with intellectual and developmentaldisabilities. He has published articles in 38 different peer-reviewed behavioral and medical journalsand has been awarded several research grants from the National Institutes of Health over the past20 years. He is also involved in advocacy efforts to support those living with severe challengingbehavior through consultation with professional and advocacy organizations, clinical programs inthe U.S. and abroad, as well as state and federal governmental agencies.
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
280 research articles with practitioner takeaways
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
252 research articles with practitioner takeaways
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All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.