F.4 Design and evaluate preference assessments

What motivates us to take action? This fundamental question guides the process of identifying effective reinforcers for students. Understanding what motivates a student at the moment can make a significant difference in promoting positive behaviors and learning outcomes.

Preference assessments evaluate what a student finds motivating at any given time. Just like our preferences change depending on circumstances, a student’s interests and motivators can vary daily.

Example: Imagine a student loves soccer, but after playing during recess, they may be too tired to engage in another soccer activity. At that moment, a different reinforcer might be more effective.

By conducting a preference assessment, we identify the stimuli (toys, activities, or rewards) that are most motivating for the student in the current context.

Understanding student preferences allows us to:

• Tailor reinforcers to individual needs and interests.

• Encourage desired behaviors by using meaningful rewards.

• Adapt to changing preferences, ensuring consistent motivation.

Types of Stimulus Preference Assessments

Asking Questions

• Directly ask the students what they like and if they can communicate effectively.

• Interview parents, teachers, or peers for insights into the student’s preferences.

• Use visual aids like pictures of toys or activities to guide choices.

• Example Question: "Would you rather play soccer or eat Doritos after this activity?"

• Why it works: Simple, straightforward, and easy to implement

Free Observation

• Allow the student to explore a space with a variety of items (toys, books, snacks) available.

• Observe what they gravitate toward, spend time with, or repeatedly engage in.

• Pro Tip: Arrange items based on interviews with caregivers to include likely preferences. Avoid introducing other distractions during the observation.

• Why it works: It’s a natural, low-pressure way to understand preferences.

Evaluation sheet

Trial-Based Methods

More structured, these methods involve presenting items in controlled conditions and recording data.

Usually done at a table or on the floor the teacher sits in front of the student, with no other distractors in the area you are trying to work on. These methods require:

• 3-10 bite-sized grocery items or 3-10 toys

• Stopwatch or clock

• Form to record data

Single stimulus	Present one item at a time and note the student’s reaction and engagement duration. *Ideal for students who struggle to make choices. *Consideration: Time-intensive.	Evaluation sheet
Paired stimuli	Think about the word "couple", meaning only two. You can see it as the student being forced to choose one or the other. *Repeat with all combinations to rank preferences based on selection frequency. *Present two items at a time and record which the student selects.	Evaluation sheet 5 Evaluation sheet 4 Evaluation sheet 6
Multiple stimulus preference assessments without replacement	The chosen element is removed from the set, so the student has to choose from a smaller set of elements each time. This allows the evaluator to identify the elements that the student prefers most.	Stimuli WITHOUT replacement 5 Stimuli WITHOUT replacement 6 Stimuli WITHOUT replacement 7
Multiple stimulus preference assessments with replacement	The chosen element remains as part of the elements to be chosen. This allows the student to choose the same item multiple times, which can be helpful if the student has a very strong preference for a particular item.	Stimuli WITH replacement 1 Stimuli WITH replacement 2 Stimuli WITH replacement 3

Preference assessments provide actionable insights for both parents and teachers. They enable us to identify reinforcers that motivate students effectively, leading to better engagement and desired behaviors. By adapting strategies to match changing interests, we ensure that interventions remain meaningful and impactful.