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J Appl Behav Anal. 1973 Spring; 6(1): 1–14.
doi: 10.1901/jaba.1973.6-1.
PMCID: PMC1310802
The elimination of autistic self-stimulatory behavior by overcorrection1
R. M. Foxx and N. H. Azrin
Anna State Hospital
1This investigation is based in part on a dissertation submitted by the senior author to Southern Illinois University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree. The research was supported by the Illinois Department of Mental Health and Grant 17981 from the National Institute of Mental Health. We wish to thank J. Deichman, D. Hake, B. Sulzer, and K. Swick for their suggestions as members of the dissertation committee. C. Bugle, supervisor of the day-care program, assisted greatly in the conduct of the study. Reprints may be obtained from either author, Behavior Research Laboratory, Anna State Hospital, Anna, Illinois 62906.
Abstract
No method is in general usage and of demonstrated effectiveness in eliminating the self-stimulatory behaviors of retardates and autistics. An Overcorrection rationale was used to develop such a method. The Overcorrection procedures consisted of a period of practice in the correct mode of the behavior contingent upon self-stimulatory behavior. The procedures were applied in a behavioral day-care program to three retarded children and one autistic child who exhibited object-mouthing, hand-mouthing, head-weaving and hand-clapping. For some behaviors, comparisons were made between the Overcorrection procedure and several alternative procedures, such as physical punishment by a slap, reinforcement for nonself-stimulatory behavior, a distasteful solution painted on the hand of a hand-mouther, and free reinforcement. The Overcorrection procedures eliminated the self-stimulatory behaviors of all four children in tutorial sessions and during the entire school day and were more effective than the alternative procedures in eliminating self-stimulation. The Overcorrection procedures appear to be rapid, enduring, and effective methods of eliminating self-stimulatory behavior.
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Selected References
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