Related Experiment Videos
Use of differential reinforcement of low rates of behavior to decrease repetitive speech in an autistic adolescent
Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry
|December 1, 1984
Summary
Differential reinforcement of low rates of behavior (DRL) effectively reduced repetitive speech in an autistic adolescent. This behavioral intervention maintained low repetition rates over 18 months, demonstrating its lasting impact.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Repetitive speech is a common characteristic in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Behavioral interventions are crucial for managing challenging behaviors in ASD.
- Understanding effective reinforcement schedules is key to modifying behavior.
Observation:
- A single autistic adolescent participant was observed over an 18-month period.
- Repetitive speech instances were meticulously recorded and quantified.
- A token economy system was implemented as part of the intervention.
Findings:
- The differential reinforcement of low rates of behavior (DRL) schedule significantly decreased repetitive speech from 4.7 to under 0.3 repetitions per minute.
- The token economy, contingent on meeting successive low-rate criteria, drove the reduction in repetitive speech.
- Reintroduction of the DRL schedule after a reversal phase successfully reinstated low repetition rates.
Implications:
- DRL schedules offer a viable and effective therapeutic strategy for reducing repetitive speech in autistic individuals.
- Token economies can be powerful tools in applied behavior analysis for managing specific behaviors.
- Long-term maintenance of behavioral gains highlights the potential for sustained positive outcomes.