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 Date

Winter 1998

Publication Title

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis

Volume

31

Issue/Number

4

First Page

679

ISSN

0021-8855

Last Page

682

Abstract/Excerpt

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

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