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A Treatment Package without Escape Extinction to Address Food Selectivity
Published on: August 21, 2015
Superimposition and withholding of edible consequences as treatment for automatically reinforced stereotypy
Tina M Sidener1, James E Carr, Amanda M Firth
1Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008, USA.
Abstract:
The delivery and subsequent withholding of tangible consequences has been previously investigated as an intervention for stereotypic behavior. The current investigation sought to extend previous research by evaluating its effectiveness and durability as treatment for stereotypy of 2 children who had been diagnosed with autism. Nonsocial functions for stereotypic behavior were identified via functional analysis. Edible items were then delivered contingent on stereotypy and were withheld in a subsequent condition. When the superimposition procedure failed to reduce stereotypy, environmental enrichment was implemented and was found to reduce the stereotypy of both participants.
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