Preference Assessments: A Proactive Strategy for Supporting Young Children and Preventing Classroom Exclusion

Young children are often removed from classrooms for challenging behavior. Removal is unlikely to improve a young child’s behavior and can cause long-term harm. This article presents preference assessments as a simple, evidence-based way to identify motivating items and activities. Effective use of preference assessments enables educators to build individualized reinforcement systems, improve daily routines, and reduce exclusionary discipline. Four types of preference assessments are described: free-operant observation, single-stimulus, paired-stimulus, and multiple-stimulus, with and without replacement. Step-by-step guidance is offered for classroom use and illustrated with a case study of a 4-year-old with autism spectrum disorder who has been repeatedly suspended from a preschool center for exhibiting challenging behavior.