BCBA Lecture on Mand Training and Measurement

Presenter

• Heidi Light Giglio
• Board-certified behavior analyst at Brett DiNovi and Associates

Overview

• Focus on the 4th edition BACB task list sections D11: Using mand training
• Additional coverage on A01: Measuring frequency and A02: Measuring rate

Understanding Mands

• From Skinner's 1957 book:
  • Mand: Behavior between a listener and a speaker
  • Involves antecedent behavior consequence contingency
  • Unique verbal operant with antecedent based on motivating operations (establishing/abolishing operations)
  • Consequence: Contingent access to stimulus related to the motivating operation
  • Form doesn't matter, function does:
    • Gestures, spoken words, signs, picture exchanges, button presses, etc.
• Range and Difficulty:
  • Varies per individual (e.g., vocal approximation "ba" for "ball")
  • Includes single words, utterances, questions (e.g., "Where's my shoe?")
  • Directed to different listeners (e.g., peers, parents)

Objectives of Mand Training

• Ensure communication is meaningful and can be reinforced by the community
• Achieve functional control of the motivating operation
• Encourage spontaneous mands (e.g., without visible prompts)

Benefits of Mand Training

• Reinforces speaker-listener relationship
• Serves as replacement behavior for maladaptive behaviors
• Supports functional communication training (e.g., for attention, breaks, sensory input)

Implementing Mand Training

1. Preference Assessment
   • Forced choice, pair choice, multiple stimulus assessments
   • Identify items for engagement and avoidance
2. Operational Definitions
   • Define unprompted, prompted, and spontaneous mands
3. Learner Assessment and Data Collection
   • Needs assessment and choose relevant data method
   • Expand mand repertoire
   • Manding rate proficiency
   • Manding sessions: Short sessions or throughout entire session with data collected

Data Collection and Analysis

• Collect frequency data: Unprompted, prompted, and spontaneous mands
• Graphs:
  • Percent of mands (unprompted, prompted, spontaneous)
  • Rate of mands per minute or hour

Contriving Opportunities for Manding

• Dependence on motivating operations
• Examples:
  • Control items to deprive access
  • Interrupt chain of responses
  • Sample items to assess body language
  • Use time delay, prompt fading, and contingent reinforcement

Reinforcement and Prompting

• Use differential reinforcement when responses are prompted
• Examples of reinforcement: Verbal praise and acknowledgment

Conclusion

• Keep an eye out for more educational videos from Brett DiNovi and Associates
• Importance of effective mand training in behavior analysis

These notes cover the main ideas and methodologies discussed during the presentation on mand training and applicable measurement techniques in behavior analysis.