And the winner is…

Problem behaviors during work time

Excessive reinforcement just to complete a simple vocational task

Resorting to physical escape extinction procedures

Escape from demands is a common function of severe problem behavior (i.e., Hanley, Iwata & McCord, 2003).  Listening to learner’s when problem behaviors are occurring during work tasks, especially when it is some but not all work tasks, may be the key to improving performance and long-term outcomes.  When escape-motivated behaviors require a increased intensity of the behavioral interventions, it may be more effective to take a critical look at the work tasks and invest in an assessment of learner preference.  This is especially true of the goals and work activities designed for adolescents and young adults.