Using videoconferencing to support teachers to conduct preference assessments with students with autism and developmental disabilities.

Abstract: We used widely available videoconferencing equipment to support teachers to conduct preference assessments for three students with autism and developmental disabilities. Supervisors located at a university used videoconferencing equipment to collect data on students’ choice of items, the fidelity of teacher implementation of the assessment protocol, and to provide feedback to the teachers. Preference assessment results suggested a number of potentially reinforcing items for each student. In a second phase of the study, the students were given a routine classroom task to complete (i.e., clean up). The students could choose to complete the clean up task and gain access to a neutral item or one of the highly preferred items identified in the prior preference assessment. All students predominantly chose to complete the task in order to access a preferred item identified in the preference assessment. The results of this classroom intervention validated the results of the preference assessments. The findings of this study provide preliminary support for the use of videoconferencing equipment when supporting teaching personnel during common educational assessments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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