Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior and demand fading in the treatment of escape-maintained destructive behavior.

Piazza, C. C., Moes, D. R., & Fisher, W. W. (1996). Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior and demand fading in the treatment of escape-maintained destructive behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 29, 569-572.

The escape-maintained destructive behavior of a boy with autistism was reduced during instructional sequences with differential reinforcement of compliance (DRA), escape extinction without physical guidance, and demand fading. The procedure decreased destructive behaviors to near-zero levels and greatly increased compliance.

DESCRIPTORS: demand fading, developmental disabilities, functional analysis, escape behavior