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Assessment and treatment of pica and destruction of holiday decorations
Author(s) -
Mitteer Daniel R.,
Romani Patrick W.,
Greer Brian D.,
Fisher Wayne W.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of applied behavior analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1938-3703
pISSN - 0021-8855
DOI - 10.1002/jaba.255
Subject(s) - differential reinforcement , pica (typography) , reinforcement , autism , psychology , positive behavior support , behavior change , psychological intervention , girl , multiple baseline design , applied behavior analysis , developmental psychology , intervention (counseling) , social psychology , psychiatry , computer science , world wide web
Problem behavior exhibited by individuals with autism can be disruptive to family traditions, such as decorating for the holidays. We present data for a 6‐year‐old girl who engaged in automatically reinforced pica and destruction of holiday decorations. Treatment was evaluated within an ABCDCD reversal design. During baseline (Phases A and B), we observed elevated rates of problem behavior. We implemented differential reinforcement of alternative behavior in Phase C to teach a response to compete with problem behavior. Little change in toy play or problem behavior occurred. In Phase D, we added a facial screen to the differential reinforcement procedures, which resulted in increases in toy play and decreases in problem behavior. Findings are discussed in terms of how interventions for problem behavior can promote alternative behavior while they facilitate household activities and traditions.