Tina M. Sidener, James E. Carr, & Amanda M. Firth (2005).
Superimposition and withholding of edible consequences as treatment for automatically reinforced stereotypy.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
38, 121-124.
The delivery and subsequent withholding of tangible
consequences has been previously investigated as an
intervention for stereotypic behavior. The current investigation
sought to extend previous
research by evaluating its effectiveness and durability as
treatment for stereotypy of 2 children who had been diagnosed
with autism. Nonsocial functions for stereotypic
behavior were identified
via functional analysis. Edible items were then
delivered contingent on stereotypy and were withheld in
a subsequent condition. When the superimposition procedure
failed to reduce stereotypy,
environmental enrichment was implemented and was
found to reduce the stereotypy of both participants.
DESCRIPTORS: stereotypy, reinforcer displacement,
environmental enrichment, superimposition procedure