Premium
Case study: Reinforcement control of severe aggression exhibited by a child with autism in a family home
Author(s) -
Paisey Timothy J.,
Fox Sheila,
Curran Christopher,
Hooper Kristina,
Whitney Robert
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
behavioral interventions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.605
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1099-078X
pISSN - 1072-0847
DOI - 10.1002/bin.2360060406
Subject(s) - differential reinforcement , reinforcement , psychology , aggression , generality , autism , intervention (counseling) , applied behavior analysis , developmental psychology , relaxation (psychology) , extinction (optical mineralogy) , clinical psychology , social psychology , psychiatry , psychotherapist , paleontology , biology
This clinical case study describes in‐home treatment of severe aggression and tantrum behavior exhibited by an 11 ‐year‐old child with autism, using methods of differential reinforcement comparable to those of a case study by Luiselli (1990). No significant reductions in problem conduct occurred when a parent implemented differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) in conjunction with publicly posted ‘good behavior rules,’ physical management training, and redirection to relaxation. Control was established when the child was reinforced for compliance with task demands in conjunction with extinction, implemented directly by professional support staff working in the home. Despite demonstrable parental consistency, systematic training, and fading of supports, results were not maintained at follow‐up. The generality of differential reinforcement as a practical intervention for severe aggression in family homes is questioned.