Procedure For Conducting Preference Assessment

To use a forced-choice preference assessment:

1. Interview persons who know the student to identify ten different objects or things that might
be rewarding or motivating for the identified student. Such objects or things could be candy
(specify the kind), drink (specify the kind), or objects (e.g. lint, heating pad, book. Do not
select activities (such as going for a walk) because that activity cannot be tested.
2. Write the ten objects or things in the ten numbered spaces provided at the top of the Forced
Choice Preference Assessment Data Sheet.
3. Collect the ten items.
4. Take the student and the items to the testing room or area.
5. Using the Forced Choice Preference Assessment Data Sheet, implement the preference
procedure:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Put items I and 2 on the table in front of the student, approximately 18 inches apart;
Get the students hands folded in lap
Get the students attention;
(when attending) ask, which do you want?
i. allow 5 seconds for student to touch one object or name one object;
e. circle the number of the object touched (or named), or write NR if no response
within 5 seconds
f. go through each trial following steps a through d
6. Upon completion of all 90 trials, tally the number of times each of the ten stimuli were
selected by the student.
7. At the bottom of the Forced Choice Preference Assessment Data Sheet, write in the
Preferred Stimulus the stimulus picked the largest number of times in #6.

Forced Choice Preference Assessment Data Sheet

Student Name: _______________________________

Date: _____________

Stimuli:

1.
6.

2.
7.

3.
8.

4.
9.

5.
10.

Circle the ITEM Number Chosen by Student. Place a checkmark under NR if no response.

Tria
l#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27

left
1
10
5
4
8
10
2
6
1
7
2
1
5
9
2
3
5
6
9
3
10
3
1
6
9
6
5

righ
t
2
3
2
7
9
7
4
8
10
6
3
8
10
3
7
6
7
3
7
2
8
5
7
10
5
2
9

NR

Tria
l#
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57

left
7
4
1
9
7
4
5
1
5
9
8
2
5
3
2
6
3
2
6
9
10
1
8
3
4
7
10

righ
t
8
6
5
10
1
10
1
4
3
1
6
9
8
10
5
1
9
10
4
6
4
9
5
7
9
2
6

NR

Tria
l#
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87

left
4
8
7
4
8
7
2
6
5
8
1
8
5
9
3
10
4
6
3
9
1
9
10
8
6
10
7

righ
t
5
3
10
1
2
9
8
9
6
7
6
10
4
2
8
1
8
5
1
8
3
4
2
4
7
5
3

N
R

28
29
30

8
7
4

1
4
3

58
59
60

4
7
2

2
5
1

88
89
90

2
3
10

Preferred Stimulus:___________________________________

6
4
9