The Use of Differential Reinforcement of Other Behaviours to Establish Inhibitory Stimulus Control for the Management of Vocal Stereotypy in Children with Autism

ORCID Identifiers

0000-0001-9197-641X

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Developmental Neurorehabilitation

Publication Date

4-3-2019

Abstract

© 2018, © 2018 Taylor & Francis. Objective: This study examined the efficacy of an inhibitory stimulus control procedure (ISCP) for the management of vocal stereotypy in three children with autism. Method: During discrimination training, implemented within a changing criterion design, participants were taught that there were no consequences for vocal stereotypy in the absence of an inhibitory stimulus but that differential reinforcement procedures were in effect in the presence of the stimulus. Functional control of the inhibitory stimulus was subsequently assessed within a reversal design. Results: Inhibitory stimulus control was established during discrimination training, with participants inhibiting vocal stereotypy for 30 min periods in the presence of the inhibitory stimulus. Reductions in vocal stereotypy were maintained in the presence of the inhibitory stimulus and in the absence of further programmed consequences. Discussion: This study extends current knowledge by demonstrating the efficacy of ISCPs paired with reinforcement only, and illustrating the functional control of the inhibitory stimulus.

ISSN

1751-8423

Publisher

Taylor and Francis Ltd.

Volume

22

Issue

3

First Page

192

Last Page

202

Disciplines

Psychology

Keywords

Autism, differential reinforcement of other behaviour, DRO, response inhibition, stimulus control, vocal stereotypy

Scopus ID

85054383816

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

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