Ellingson, S. A., Miltenberger, R. G., Stricker, J. M., Garlinghouse, M. A., Roberts, J., Galensky, T. L., & Rapp, J. T. (2000).
Analysis and treatment of finger sucking.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
33, 41-52.
We analyzed and treated the finger sucking of 2 developmentally
typical children aged 7 and 10 years. The functional analysis
revealed that the finger sucking of both children was exhibited
primarily during alone conditions, suggesting that the behavior
was maintained by automatic reinforcement. An extended analysis
provided support for this hypothesis and demonstrated that
attenuation of stimulation produced by the finger sucking
resulted in behavior reductions for both children. Treatment
consisted of having each child wear a glove on the relevant hand
during periods when he or she was alone. Use of the glove
produced zero levels of finger sucking for 1 participant, whereas
only moderate reductions were obtained for the other.
Subsequently, an awareness enhancement device was used that
produced an immediate reduction in finger sucking.
DESCRIPTORS: _finger sucking, sensory attenuation,
awareness enhancement devices, functional analysis,
automatic reinforcement