Citation

Mace AB, Shapiro ES, Mace FC. J. Appl. Behav. Anal. 1998; 31(4): 679-682.

Affiliation

Lehigh University, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Wiley-Blackwell)

DOI

10.1901/jaba.1998.31-679

PMID

9891405

PMCID

PMC1284159

Abstract

Results of a functional analysis of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in a child with autism showed that her SIB was maintained by access to preferred objects and escape or avoidance of task demands. Extinction and noncontingent reinforcement treatments were supplemented by presenting a statement combined with a picture cue at 30-s intervals indicating that a preferred object would be removed or a task would be presented. Warning stimuli in combination with extinction and noncontingent reinforcement reduced SIB to acceptable levels. SIB rates remained comparatively high in a control condition consisting of a 2-min delay to onset of reinforcer removal or task demands.

Language: en