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Case study: Controlling self‐injurious escape behaviors
Author(s) -
Blindert H. Dieter,
Hartridge Cheryl L.,
Gwadry Fuad G.
Publication year - 1995
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.2360100306
Subject(s) - psychology , compliance (psychology) , developmental psychology , clinical psychology , social psychology
The present study investigated the effects of a treatment program on the self‐injurious behaviors of a 12‐year‐old autistic male. Initial observations indicated that these behaviors functioned primarily as escape responses to terminate performance demands. For 1 year the subject received general compliance training with the frequency of demands being systematically increased through consecutive treatment weeks. The subject's self‐injurious behaviors were no longer reinforced by his escaping from demands nor did they receive social attention. Compliance to demands and appropriate behaviors in general were positively reinforced. The treatment produced substantial reductions in the rates of self‐injurious behaviors and increased compliance. Additionally, the intensity of the subject's self‐injurious behaviors decreased over the course of treatment. The present study suggests that the treatment approach is a reliable means of not only reducing self‐injurious behaviors but also expanding performance repertoires.