How Teachers Can Use Multiple Stimulus With Replacement (MSW) Assessments to Identify Student Motivators

Heyy BCBA Ruby here! 👋

Finding the right reinforcers for your students can make all the difference in classroom engagement, participation, and behavior management. If you’re looking for a quick and effective way to assess student preferences, the Multiple Stimulus With Replacement (MSW) Preference Assessment is a great tool!

In this blog, I’ll break down what MSW is, how to conduct it in your classroom, and why it’s beneficial for student success.

What is a Multiple Stimulus With Replacement (MSW) Preference Assessment?

The MSW preference assessment is a way to identify highly preferred reinforcers by presenting multiple choices at once and allowing students to pick one. After each selection, the chosen item is replaced, while the other items are swapped out with new options.

This method helps teachers understand what items students consistently prefer, giving insight into what motivates them most.

Why Should Teachers Use MSW in the Classroom?

✅ Efficient & Time-Saving – MSW is faster than one-on-one paired comparisons, making it great for busy classroom settings.

✅ Provides Clear Preference Data – Since students repeatedly choose their top preferences, you can quickly rank the most reinforcing items.

✅ Improves Learning & Behavior – Strong reinforcers help increase attention, task completion, and positive classroom behaviors.

✅ Encourages Decision-Making Skills – Helps students practice making choices, which is especially valuable for those with limited communication abilities.

How to Conduct an MSW Preference Assessment in the Classroom

Step 1: Gather Potential Reinforcers

• Select 5-7 different items that your student may enjoy, such as:

  • Small toys (e.g., fidget spinner, stress ball)

  • Stickers

  • Snacks

  • Classroom privileges (e.g., extra iPad time, drawing)

  • Sensory items (e.g., bubbles, Play-Doh)

Step 2: Arrange & Present Items

• Lay out all selected items in front of the student.

• Ask the student to pick one item they want.

Step 3: Replace the Chosen Item & Rotate Others

• Allow the student to engage with their chosen item for 5-10 seconds.

• Return the selected item to the lineup and swap out the remaining items with new options.

Step 4: Repeat & Track Preferences

• Repeat this process multiple times, recording which item is chosen most often.

• The most frequently selected item is likely the most powerful reinforcer.

Example of MSW in Action

👧 Meet Emma: A student who struggles to stay on task during independent work. Her teacher wants to identify the best reinforcer to help her complete assignments.

Assessment Setup:

• The teacher selects six reinforcers: a squishy toy, stickers, a lollipop, extra recess time, a fidget spinner, and a coloring book.

• All items are placed in front of Emma, and she chooses the squishy toy first.

What Happens Next?

• The squishy toy is returned to the lineup, and the remaining five items are replaced with new options.

• Emma selects the squishy toy again in the next round, confirming it’s a strong preference.

• After several rounds, the teacher notes that Emma consistently picks the squishy toy and extra recess time, making them effective reinforcers.

Using MSW, the teacher can now incorporate these motivators into Emma’s classroom routine to encourage focus and participation!

Tips for Using MSW Effectively

✔ Offer a mix of items – Include sensory, tangible, and social reinforcers to see what works best for each student.

✔ Keep sessions short – Limit each assessment to 5-10 minutes to maintain engagement.

✔ Reassess periodically – Preferences change, so conduct MSW assessments every few months.

✔ Use top reinforcers strategically – If a student’s favorite reward is extra recess time, use it as an incentive for completing classwork.

✔ Observe nonverbal cues – If a student reaches for an item before choosing, take note—it could indicate strong preference!

Final Thoughts: Why MSW is a Game-Changer for Teachers

A Multiple Stimulus With Replacement (MSW) Preference Assessment is a simple, efficient way to determine what truly motivates your students. By identifying and using strong reinforcers, teachers can improve engagement, encourage positive behaviors, and create a more effective learning environment.

Looking for more classroom-friendly ABA strategies? Stay tuned for more insights!