Functional analysis of aberrant behavior maintained by automatic reinforcement: assessments of specific sensory reinforcers

Further Evaluation of Methods to Identify Matched Stimulation

“…On the whole, the results of the present study are consistent with prior studies that decreased automatically reinforced behavior using NCR (e.g., Higbee et al, 2005;Patel et al, 2000;Piazza et al, 2000;Rapp et al, 2004;Sidener et al, 2005). Although it is not clear why Nevin's vocal stereotypy increased when toys were combined with music, prior studies have shown that automatically reinforced behavior may be occasioned by ambient stimulation (Carter, Devlin, Doggett, Harber, & Barr, 2004;Rapp, 2005;Van Camp et al, 2000).…”

“…The effects of noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) on automatically reinforced behavior have been robustly demonstrated (e.g., Ahearn, Clark, DeBar, & Florentino, 2005;Higbee, Chang, & Endicott, 2005;Patel, Carr, Kim, Robles, & Eastridge, 2000;Piazza, Adelinis, Hanley, Goh, & Delia, 2000;Rapp, Vollmer, Dozier, St. Peter, & Cotnoir, 2004;Sidener, Carr, & Firth, 2005;Tang, Patterson, & Kennedy, 2003). For example, Piazza et al found that providing access to preferred items that seemingly matched the overt sensory product produced by engaging in the automatically reinforced behavior produced substantial decreases in that behavior.…”

Effects of Three Types of Noncontingent Auditory Stimulation on Vocal Stereotypy in Children With Autism

“…In addition, we presented a recording of the participant's own stereotypy, a stimulus necessarily matched to the auditory response products of vocal stereotypy (i.e., a potential maintaining variable). Although this type of stimulus has been examined as a method of confirming the auditory stimulation function of stereotypy (e.g., Patel, Carr, Kim, Robles, & Eastridge, 2000), no previous research has evaluated audiotaped stereotypy as a treatment for vocal stereotypy in children with autism.…”

Treating Childhood Psychopathology and Developmental Disabilities

“…The authors suggested that habit reversal methods have been consistently demonstrated as effective even in the absence of identification of functions of the treated tics, habits, and stuttering. Carr et al (2000) conducted a review of studies that evaluated the use of NCR in the treatment of aberrant behavior. The authors reported that NCR has been an effective treatment strategy for a variety of problem behaviors exhibited by individuals with developmental disabilities but included the caveat that more clinical research needs to be conducted in the area.…”

“…Others (e.g., Goh et al, 1995;Patel, Carr, Kim, Robles, & Eastridge, 2000) have conducted additional assessments to identify aspects of the stimulation produced by the problem behaviour. Goh et al (1995) for example, searching for sources of stimulation to reduce hand-mouthing, provided objects to manipulate to four adults with profound intellectual disabilities and showed that for all four hand-object contact was more extensive than mouth-object contact, suggesting that hand stimulation was the reinforcer maintaining hand-mouthing.…”