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When faced with a choice between two aversive events, a person exhibits self-control by choosing a smaller, more immediate aversive event over a larger, delayed aversive event. Task demands are often aversive to children with autism and other developmental disabilities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate behavioral sensitivity to differences in the amount and delay of tasks as part of a preliminary study on self-control. Participants were 2 children with autism who engaged in problem behavior maintained by escape. Results indicated a lack of self-control with respect to choosing between two aversive tasks and suggested potential strategies for increasing self-control (i.e., choosing a small immediate task over a large delayed task). DESCRIPTORS: aversive events, self-control, task magnitude, task delay _______________________________________________________________________________ Research findings indicate that problem behavior exhibited by children with develop-mental disabilities is commonly shaped and maintained by escape from or avoidance of tasks (e.g., Iwata et al., 1994). A choice may be established when a child is instructed to complete an aversive task. If the child exhibits problem behavior, the child may receive negative reinforcement in the form of escape from the task and possibly delay of further instruction. However, if the child chooses to work on the task instead, the child may receive punishment in the form of exposure to the aversive task (and possibly additional work after its completion), along with a small amount of positive reinforcement in the form of praise. Under such an arrangement, it is not surprising that the child will frequently engage in problem behavior rather than complete aversive task