Noncompliance

Abstract

Among challenging behavior, noncompliance has the unique characteristic of describing the failure to engage in, or the absence of, a specific behavior (i.e., compliance). Recognizing that the term “compliance” has negative connotations for many, we propose an alternative term, “cooperation,” to describe the behavior expected of children with autism who exhibit noncompliance. This chapter initially reviews the functional behavior assessment of noncompliance using indirect assessment, descriptive assessment, and functional analysis. Next, we examine antecedent and consequent interventions for active cooperation (i.e., following an instruction to complete a task), such as implementing the high-probability request sequence, reducing response effort, manipulating the delivery of instructions, and providing reinforcement. The third section focuses on interventions designed for passive cooperation (e.g., tolerating a medical device, remaining in the presence of a feared stimulus), which include exposure, noncontingent reinforcement, differential reinforcement of other behavior, and escape extinction. Overall, this chapter provides an overview of research and practices to support individuals who contend with noncompliance in children with autism.