For children receiving ABA therapy, understanding what they respond well to can help therapists create a more personalized approach. A preference assessment in ABA helps your child’s therapist learn which items, activities, and experiences are most meaningful to them.
Every child has their own interests and ways of engaging with the world. One child may enjoy playing with bubbles, while another may respond best to music, a favorite toy, a game, or time with someone they enjoy. Join On Target as we explore preference assessments and how they impact the success of therapy.
Key Takeaways on Preference Assessments in ABA
- Preference assessments help ABA therapists understand what items, experiences, and activities a child responds positively to.
- The information gathered can help therapists choose effective reinforcers during therapy.
- Preferences can change as children grow and have new experiences, so assessments may be repeated over time.
- Different types of preference assessments allow therapists to learn about preferences in different ways.
What Is a Preference Assessment?
A preference assessment is a process ABA therapists use to learn what a child is most interested in or likely to respond positively to. During an assessment, a therapist may present different options, such as toys, games, snacks, sensory items, or social experiences, and observe how the child responds.
The goal is to understand what can help a child stay involved and what may be useful when teaching new skills.
The items or experiences identified through a preference assessment may become reinforcers. A reinforcer is something that increases the likelihood that a child will continue a behavior or participate in an activity.
For example, if a child enjoys bubbles, a therapist may use bubbles after a child practices a new skill to encourage continued participation.
What is the Purpose of a Preference Assessment?
The primary purpose of a preference assessment is to help therapists make informed choices about which items or activities may encourage engagement and motivation. This information can be used to create therapy sessions that are better matched to the child’s needs and interests and consequently more effective.
Every child learns differently. Something that works well for one child may not work for another, which is why therapists need to understand what is meaningful to the individual child.
When children are working with things that are meaningful to them, they are likely to be more willing to take part in learning opportunities that build communication, social, and everyday life skills.
Preference assessments also help therapists adjust their approach. If something that was once effective is no longer working well, the therapist can explore other options.
Types of Preference Assessments in ABA
ABA therapists use different types of preference assessments depending on the child’s communication skills, attention, and ability to make choices.
Some methods involve offering choices directly, while others involve observing what a child naturally chooses or spends time with.
Free-Operant Preference Assessment
During a free-operant preference assessment, a therapist makes several items or experiences available and observes what the child chooses to interact with.
The child can move between options freely, allowing the therapist to see what naturally catches their attention.
For a free-operant preference assessment in ABA, an example might be placing several toys in a play area and observing which ones the child chooses and how long they engage with them.
Single-Stimulus Preference Assessment
In a single-stimulus preference assessment, a therapist presents one item at a time and observes whether the child interacts with it.
This approach can be helpful when a child has limited communication skills or when therapists are beginning to learn about their preferences.
Paired-Choice Preference Assessment
A paired-choice preference assessment involves presenting two options at a time and observing which one the child chooses.
For example, a therapist may offer a choice between bubbles and a puzzle. Over multiple choices, the therapist can identify which items the child selects more often.
Multiple-Stimulus Preference Assessment
In this type of assessment, often also referred to as a multiple-stimulus without replacement assessment (MSWO), a therapist presents several options at once. When the child selects an item, it is removed from the group before the next choice.
This helps therapists understand which items are most preferred when several options are available.
All of the above assessments are considered systematic preference assessments, since activities and items are presented systematically to the individual to assess which would serve as effective reinforcers.
What is an Indirect Preference Assessment?
An indirect preference assessment is a method for identifying potential reinforcers without directly presenting items or observing the person interact with them. Instead, information comes from another source, often a caregiver, teacher, or the individual themselves, through interviews, questionnaires, or checklists.
According to a ScienceDirect overview on Preference Assessments, although family members and professionals usually believe they know what a learner likes most, research has shown that when you allow the learner to show you what they want, that is a much better indication of what will actually work as a reinforcer.
Indirect assessments are usually the first step to get a general picture of which items and activities the child prefers, serving as a useful starting point to help narrow down which items to include in a more direct assessment.
What Types of Preferences Can Be Identified?
Preference assessments can look at many different types of reinforcers. These may include:
- Tangible items: toys, games, books, or objects a child enjoys using
- Food items: snacks or drinks that a child finds rewarding
- Sensory experiences: music, movement, textures, or other sensory input
- Social experiences: praise, attention, conversation, or time with a caregiver
- Activities: favorite games, hobbies, or play experiences
Not every child responds to the same things. Some children enjoy active movement, while others prefer quiet play or social interaction. Learning these differences helps therapists understand what may work best for each child.
Can Preferences Change Over Time?
A child’s preferences are not fixed forever and can definitely change over time. As children grow, develop new skills, and have new experiences, the things they respond to can and likely will change.
A toy that was exciting a few months ago may no longer hold the same appeal. At the same time, a child may discover a new game, activity, or sensory experience they enjoy.
Therapists may repeat preference assessments over time to make sure they continue using options that fit the child’s current interests.
How Preference Assessments Are Used in Daily Life
Beyond the therapy room, the information from preference assessments can also help parents better understand what their child responds well to.
For example, knowing that a child enjoys music, movement, or a certain type of play can help families create more opportunities for connection during everyday routines.
Parents can share observations about their child’s likes, dislikes, and changing interests with the ABA team. These details can help therapists create a more complete picture of what works well for the child.
The Difference Between Preference and Reinforcement
A preference is something a child likes or chooses. A reinforcer is something used to encourage and reinforce a positive behavior or increase the likelihood that a child will continue an activity.
For example, a child may enjoy playing with a certain toy. That toy becomes a reinforcer when a therapist uses it after a child practices a skill or completes a task.
Understanding this difference helps explain why preference assessments are useful. They help therapists identify possible reinforcers, but not everything a child likes will automatically work as a reinforcer.
How Preference Assessments Support Therapy Goals
Preference assessments provide therapists with information they can use when planning individualized therapy goals.
By understanding what a child responds positively to, therapists can choose approaches that make learning opportunities more engaging and adjust strategies when needed.
This information can support skill development across areas such as communication, social interaction, and daily living skills.
Preference Assessments at On Target ABA
Every child has unique strengths and needs, and entirely different ways of engaging with the world. Preference assessments help ABA therapists understand those differences and create more personalized therapy.
At On Target, we’ve used preference assessments and ABA to help hundreds of children improve their language and communication, gain better play and social skills, and enhance their daily living skills. If you would like to learn more about preference assessments or ABA services, contact On Target to speak with a member of our team.
FAQs on Preference Assessments in ABA
What is a preference assessment in ABA?
A preference assessment is a process ABA therapists use to identify items, activities, and experiences that a child responds positively to. This information can help therapists choose effective reinforcers during therapy.
How often are preference assessments done?
Preference assessments are typically conducted before starting a new therapy program and then repeated periodically since children’s interests can change as they grow, develop new skills, and have new experiences. How often preference assessments are repeated depends on the individual child, the practitioner, and the progress rate of therapy.
What is the difference between a preference and a reinforcer?
A preference is something a child likes or chooses. A reinforcer is something used to encourage a behavior or increase participation in an activity. A therapist will usually use a child’s preference as a reinforcer since this is more likely to engage and motivate him.
What is an example of a preference assessment?
An example of a preference assessment is a paired-choice assessment, as portrayed in the following scenario. A therapist presents a child with play dough and a puzzle at the same time, and asks, “Which one do you want?” They will then record which item the child reaches for. The therapist repeats this by pairing the chosen item with other items to see which item the child chooses most often.
Can an RBT conduct a preference assessment?
Yes, a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) can conduct a preference assessment under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Conducting preference assessments is one of the core competencies listed on the BACB RBT Task List.
