Abstract
This study assessed the effects and side effects of using stereotypic behavior as a consequence for correct responding with two autistic children. The children were cued through a model to engage in stereotypic behavior contingent upon correct responses in tasktraining sessions. This instructional arrangement produced increases in the percent of correct responses. Measures of the stereotypic behavior used as a reinforcer, other stereotypic behaviors, and appropriate behaviors were collected during daily 5-minute free operant settings before and after the tasktraining sessions. No replicable, systematic changes in the percent of intervals in which subjects engaged in those side effect measures were noted. Thus, a new method for delivering stereotypic behavior as a reinforcer was investigated and produced reinforcing effects; the rate of that behavior in free operant settings was not adversely affected.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chock, P. N., & Glahn, T. J. (1983). Learning and self-stimulation in mute and echolalic children.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 14, 365–381.
Devany, J. (1979, December).Assessment of the effects of using self-stimulation as a reinforcer. Paper presented at the 13th Annual Convention of the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy, San Francisco.
Hargrave, E., & Swisher, L. (1975). Modifying the verbal expression of a child with autistic behaviors.Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 5, 147–154.
Hung, D. W. (1978). Using self-stimulation as reinforcement for autistic children.Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 8, 355–366.
Klier, J., & Harris, S. L. (1977). Self-stimulation and learning in autistic children: Physical or functional incompatibility?Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 10, 311. (Abstract)
Koegel, R. L., & Covert, A. (1972). The relationship of self-stimulation to learning in autistic children.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 5, 381–387.
Koegel, R. L., Firestone, P. B., Kramme, K. W., & Dunlap, G. (1974). Increasing spontaneous play by suppressing self-stimulation in autistic children.Journal of Appplied Behavior Analysis, 7, 521–528.
LeMay, D., Griffin, P., & Sanford, A. (1977).Learning Accomplishment Profile. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: Chapel Hill Training and Outreach Project.
Ollendick, T. H., & Matson, J. (1978). Overcorrection: An overview.Behavior Therapy, 9, 830–842
Rincover, A. (1978). Sensory extinction: A procedure for eliminating self-stimulatory behavior in psychotic children.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 6, 299–310.
Rincover, A., Cook, R., Peoples, A., & Packard, D. (1979). Sensory extinction and sensory reinforcement principles for programming multiple adaptive behavior change.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 12, 221–233.
Risley, T. (1968). The effects and side-effects of punishing the autistic behaviors of a deviant child.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1, 21–34.
Tawney, J. W., & Gast, D. L. (1984).Single subject research in special education, Columbus, Ohio: Charles E. Merrill.
Wolery, M. (1978). Self-stimulatory behavior as a basis for devising reinforcers.AAESPH Review, 3, 23–29.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The authors are grateful for the assistance provided by Jayne Miller, Roberta Kisch, Cheryl Githens, other staff members, parents, volunteers, and children of the Louisville School for Autistic Children, Louisville, Kentucky. The authors are also grateful for the administrative support provided by Donald P. Cross, Ed. D., Chairperson, Department of Special Education. University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wolery, M., Kirk, K. & Gast, D.L. Stereotypic behavior as a reinforcer: Effects and side effects. J Autism Dev Disord 15, 149–161 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01531601
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01531601