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Stereotyped behaviour, alternative behaviour and collateral effects: a comparison of four intervention procedures
Journal of Mental Deficiency Research
|September 1, 1980
Summary
A mild slap combined with differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) effectively reduced stereotyped and self-injurious behaviors in a child with profound intellectual disability. This combined approach rapidly increased alternative behaviors and showed generalization.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Psychology
- Developmental Disabilities
- Applied Behavior Analysis
Background:
- Stereotyped behaviors and self-injurious behaviors (SIBs) are significant challenges in individuals with profound intellectual disabilities.
- Effective interventions are crucial for improving the quality of life and reducing harm.
Observation:
- Four procedures were evaluated: mild slap, differential reinforcement of an alternative behavior (DRA), overcorrection plus DRA, and mild slap plus DRA.
- A modified multiple baseline, reversal design was employed to assess effects on stereotyped behavior, alternative behavior, and collateral SIBs.
Findings:
- A mild slap alone rapidly suppressed target and collateral behaviors but was ethically questionable.
- DRA alone showed minimal impact on stereotyped behavior and no effect on SIBs.
- Overcorrection plus DRA was largely ineffective.
- Mild slap plus DRA demonstrated the most significant results, rapidly suppressing stereotyped behavior, virtually eliminating SIBs, and dramatically increasing alternative behaviors.
Implications:
- The combination of a mild slap and DRA offers a highly effective intervention for severe behavioral challenges in profound intellectual disability.
- Findings suggest the potential for generalization of treatment effects across different trainers, settings, and over time.
- Further research into the long-term efficacy and ethical considerations of such intensive interventions is warranted.