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Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders pp 1–2Cite as

High-Probability Requests

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Definition

High-probability request sequence is an intervention used to increase compliance. It is a nonaversive intervention commonly used to treat noncompliance by reducing escape-motivated behavior. It is also associated with and has been historically referred to as interspersed requests, pretask requests, and behavioral momentum. It is considered an antecedent intervention.

The basic procedure involves the teacher presenting three to five “high-probability requests,” which are easy and quick responses already mastered by the child and highly likely that the child will emit. The teacher presents these requests quickly, one after the other, providing brief verbal praise after each one. Immediately after receiving praise for the last of these high-probability requests, the teacher immediately presents the request to which the child has historically not complied. Reinforcement can also be added to the high-probability sequence to effectively increase compliance with low-p instructions...

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References and Reading

  • Mace, F. C., & Belfiore, P. (1990). Behavioral momentum in the treatment of escape-motivated stereotypy. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 23, 507–514.

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  • Wilder, D. A., Majdalany, L., Sturkie, L., & Smeltz, L. (2015). Further evaluation of the high-probability instructional sequence with and without programmed reinforcement. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 48(3), 511–522.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Behavioral Studies, Endicott College, Beverly, MA, USA

    Mary Jane Weiss

  2. Endicott College, Beverly, MA, USA

    Samantha Russo

Authors
  1. Mary Jane Weiss
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  2. Samantha Russo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mary Jane Weiss .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, USA

    Fred R. Volkmar

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Weiss, M.J., Russo, S. (2018). High-Probability Requests. In: Volkmar, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_1910-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_1910-3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6435-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6435-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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