ESTABLISHING STIMULUS CONTROL OF VOCALSTEREOTYPY DISPLAYED BY YOUNGCHILDREN WITH AUTISM

摘要

We examined the vocal stereotypy of three boys who were diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD). Results of functional analyses indicated that each participant's vocal stereotypy was maintainedby non-social consequences. For two participants, verbal reprimands were provided contingent on vocalstereotypy in the presence of a red card (RC). For the third participant, after verbal reprimands alone didnot decrease vocal stereotypy, toys were withdrawn contingent on vocal stereotypy in the presence of theRC. For all three participants, vocal stereotypy was permitted without programmed consequencesthe presence of a green card (GC). The results showed that vocal stereotypy decreased in the presence ofthe RC for all three participants; however, vocal stereotypy came under inhibitory control of the RC foronly one of the three participants. The potential utility of using punishment to develop stimulus control ofautomatically reinforced problem behavior in academic settings is briefly discussed