Interventions for Transition-Related Challenging Behavior in Individuals with Disabilities: A Targeted Research Synthesis and Meta-Analysis of Studies Published in Behavior Analytic Journals

Transition-related challenging behavior is common among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, particularly during changes between activities. Two hypothesized controlling variables—unpredictability and negative incentive shifts—may contribute to the occurrence of these behaviors. This targeted research synthesis and meta-analysis identified studies published in behavior-analytic journals examining interventions developed to decrease transition-related challenging behavior. Nineteen experiments across sixteen peer-reviewed articles were included in the targeted research synthesis, with interventions categorized as those incorporating a signaling stimulus (e.g., advance notice, visual schedules) or other procedures (e.g., differential reinforcement, extinction). A multilevel meta-analysis was conducted to estimate overall intervention effects and examine whether the intervention type moderated its effectiveness. Results indicated that, although overall effects were not statistically significant, consequence-based interventions without signaling stimuli were associated with greater reductions in challenging behavior. Implications for practice, including the integration of signaling stimulus and consequence-based procedures, are discussed, along with directions for future research on intervention efficiency, generalization, and long-term maintenance.