Effects of Warning Stimuli for Reinforcer Withdrawal and Task Onset to Reduce Self-Injury

Author(s)

Amy Boyajian Mace, Lehigh University
Edward S. Shapiro, Lehigh University
Floyd C. Mace, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis

ISSN

0021-8855

Publication Date

Winter 1998

Abstract

Results of a functional analysis of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in a child with autism showed that her SIB was maintained by access to preferred objects and escape or avoidance of task demands. Extinction and noncontingent reinforcement treatments were supplemented by presenting a statement combined with a picture cue at 30-s intervals indicating that a preferred object would be removed or a task would be presented. Warning stimuli in combination with extinction and noncontingent reinforcement reduced SIB to acceptable levels. SIB rates remained comparatively high in a control condition consisting of a 2-min delay to onset of reinforcer removal or task demands.

DOI

10.1901/jaba.1998.31-679

Volume

31

Issue

4

First Page

679

Last Page

682

NSUWorks Citation

Mace, A., Shapiro, E. S., Mace, F. C. (1998). Effects of Warning Stimuli for Reinforcer Withdrawal and Task Onset to Reduce Self-Injury. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 31(4), 679-682.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/371