Elimination of Chronic Self-Injurious Behavior by Withdrawal of Staff Attention

Abstract

Self-injurious behavior is frequently noted in institutionalized persons. Several treatment techniques have been attempted including medication, timeout, shock, aromatic ammonia, and adaptive clothing. Several authors have suggested extinction as an alternative technique. One problem with this technique is that self-injury may occur during the extinction period. The present study suggests that staff attention may maintain self-abusive behavior and withdrawal of this attention resulted in a rapid reduction of this behavior in a retarded individual.

Analysis of the Reinforcement and Extinction Components in Dro Contingencies With Self‐injury

“…Failure to identify the maintaining variable(s) of an individual's maladaptive behavior, thus limiting the extinction component of the DRO, is one difficulty. Previous research (e.g., Lovaas & Simmons, 1969;Rose, Sloop, & Baker, 1980) has indicated that one way to reduce the frequency of behavior is to discontinue its reinforcing consequences, but in order to withhold delivery of these reinforcers, they must first be known.…”