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Problem-Solving Before Instruction PS-I: A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities

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Some indirect effects of positive practice overcorrection.

Lindsay C Peters¹, Rachel H Thompson

¹Western New England University.

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis

|October 12, 2013

Summary

Positive practice overcorrection (PP OC) effectively reduced motor stereotypy in young men with autism. While engagement improved for some, PP OC did not negatively impact activity preference.

Keywords:

engagement positive practice overcorrection preference punishment stereotypy

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Area of Science:

Behavioral psychology
Autism spectrum disorder research
Intervention strategies for developmental disorders

Background:

Motor stereotypy is a common behavior in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Interventions are needed to reduce stereotypy and increase engagement in meaningful activities.
Positive practice overcorrection (PP OC) is a behavioral intervention with potential applications in ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the efficacy of PP OC in reducing motor stereotypy in young men with autism.
To assess the impact of PP OC on engagement in practiced activities.
To determine if PP OC leads to negative changes in activity preference.

Main Methods:

Three young men diagnosed with autism participated in the study.
PP OC was implemented to address motor stereotypy.
Engagement levels and activity preferences were systematically measured.

Main Results:

Motor stereotypy decreased for all three participants.
Increased engagement in practiced activities was observed for two out of three participants.
Relative preference for activities remained stable, though overall contact decreased for one participant.

Conclusions:

PP OC demonstrates effectiveness in reducing motor stereotypy in this population.
PP OC can potentially increase engagement, but individual responses vary.
The effectiveness of PP OC may be influenced by the reinforcing properties of the stereotyped behavior.