Michael B. Himle, Douglas W. Woods, & Liviu Bunaciu. Evaluating the role of contingency in differentially reinforced tic suppression. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 2008, 41, 285-289.

The current study evaluated the effects of tokens delivered on differential reinforcement of zero-rate behavior (DRO) schedules or noncontingently on tic suppression in 4 children with tics. Tic frequency was lower in 3 of 4 children when tokens were delivered contingent on the absence of tics than when tokens were delivered noncontingently.

DESCRIPTORS: differential reinforcement of other behavior, noncontingent reinforcement, suppression, tic disorder, tokens, Tourette syndrome