Data analysis of response interruption and redirection as a treatment for vocal stereotypy

Abstract

Vocal stereotypy, or repetitive, noncontextual vocalizations, is a problematic form of behavior exhibited by many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recent research has evaluated the efficacy of response interruption and redirection (RIRD) in the reduction of vocal stereotypy. Research has indicated that RIRD often results in reductions in the level of vocal stereotypy; however, many previous studies have only presented data on vocal stereotypy that occurred outside RIRD implementation. The current study replicated the procedures of previous studies that have evaluated the efficacy of RIRD and compared 2 data-presentation methods: inclusion of only data collected outside RIRD implementation and inclusion of all vocal stereotypy data from the entirety of each session. Subjects were 7 children who had been diagnosed with ASD. Results indicated that RIRD appeared to be effective when we evaluated the level of vocal stereotypy outside RIRD implementation, but either no reductions or more modest reductions in the level of vocal stereotypy during the entirety of sessions were obtained for all subjects. Results suggest that data-analysis methods used in previous research may overestimate the efficacy of RIRD.

Further evaluation of treatments for vocal stereotypy: Response interruption and redirection and response cost

“…Despite some research supporting the efficacy of RIRD in decreasing vocal stereotypy, the procedure may be difficult to implement, especially initially, if the individual engages in high levels of stereotypy and thus require frequent intervention (Wunderlich & Vollmer, ). Additionally, RIRD does not always increase appropriate vocalizations.…”

Reducing Transition Latency and Transition‐related Problem Behavior in Children by Altering the Motivating Operations for Task Disengagement

“…For example, the aversive nature of demands used in the overcorrection sequence of the RIRD procedure can evoke additional problem behavior (i.e., vocal stereotypy) in some individuals. Along these lines, Wunderlich and Vollmer () found that most vocal stereotypy occurred for one participant during the RIRD intervention. In Hagopian, Bruzek, Bowman, and Jennett (), rates of problem behavior were compared between control and interruption conditions, the latter involving the interruption of activities with a simple “do” request on a fixed‐time 30‐second schedule.…”

“…The goal of the present two‐experiment study was to evaluate the effects of such a manipulation in the form of four, brief (3 seconds) activity interruptions each followed by attention and immediate resumption in the preferred activity just prior to requesting a transition away from preferred activities. It should be noted that the interruptions used in the present study differed in several ways from a punishment procedure for vocal stereotypy known as response interruption and redirection (RIRD; Ahern, Clark, MacDonald, & Chung, ; Wunderlich & Vollmer, ). Response interruption and redirection is implemented with no items or activities present, combines response blocking with a three‐demand overcorrection sequence, is contingent on problem behavior, and involves praise for compliance.…”

An evaluation of the effects of response interruption redirection and matched stimulation on vocal stereotypy

“…It has been suggested that exclusion of such data may overestimate the efficacy of RIRD. This was the finding for some participants whose stereotypy occurred at baseline levels when data were reported and included from implementation intervals (Wunderlich & Vollmer, ). However, evidence for vocal stereotypy suppression when interval data are included was demonstrated by Cividini‐Motta et al ().…”