High-Probability Request Sequence to Increase Compliance of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Non-compliance is a challenge for practitioners serving children with and without disabilities. Many interventions have been developed to increase compliance. High-probability request sequences (HPRS), an antecedent-based intervention that is based on behavioral momentum theory, is one way to increase compliant behavior. HPRS includes the presentation of two-to-five easy or known tasks with a high probability of compliance immediately before requesting tasks with a low probability of compliance. The purpose of the current meta-analysis was to review the literature in the last 40 years on high-p request sequences as an intervention to improve compliance in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Specifically, we examined the methodological rigor of the high-p single-case research for students with autism, identified the descriptive characteristics of these studies, and estimated treatment effects with Tau-U to determine whether HPRS is an evidence-based practice (EBP) for increasing compliance in children with ASD. Our results showed that HPRS is a very effective practice in increasing compliance in children with ASD (Tau-U = .87) and a promising EBP for improving compliance in children with ASD. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.