ABSTRACT
Repetitive and invariant behavior is a diagnostic feature of autism. We implemented a lag reinforcement schedule to increase response diversity for 6 participants with autism aged 6 to 10 years, 4 of whom also received prompting plus additional training. These procedures appeared to increase the variety of building-block structures, demonstrating that an intervention that includes differential reinforcement can increase response diversity for children with an autism spectrum disorder.
Subject(s)
Autistic Disorder/psychology , Autistic Disorder/therapy , Behavior Therapy/methods , Psychomotor Performance , Child , Cues , Generalization, Psychological , Humans , Male , Reinforcement ScheduleABSTRACT
Prader-Willi syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by obesity. The Figure Rating Scale (Stunkard, Sorensen, & Schulsinger, 1983) was completed by 43 individuals with this syndrome to determine their level of dissatisfaction with their body. Their parents also completed this scale regarding their child to determine whether they were dissatisfied with their child's body status. Results showed that individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome were dissatisfied with their body. Parents also were dissatisfied with their child's body. Results of this study demonstrate that the responses of persons with Prader-Willi syndrome on the Figure Rating Scale show significant discrepancies between how they think they look and how they wished they looked.
Subject(s)
Body Image , Parents/psychology , Prader-Willi Syndrome/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Body Mass Index , Body Size , Child , Compulsive Behavior/genetics , Compulsive Behavior/psychology , Female , Genotype , Humans , Hyperphagia/genetics , Hyperphagia/psychology , Male , Middle Aged , Obesity/genetics , Obesity/psychology , Overweight/genetics , Overweight/psychology , Prader-Willi Syndrome/genetics , Sex Factors , United States , Young AdultABSTRACT
Two variations of a vocal paired-stimulus preference assessment were evaluated to determine whether the verbal reports of preference, given by individuals with developmental disabilities when no access to the activity was given, matched their verbal reports when access to the activity was given contingent on their choice. The results indicated different outcomes between the two methods for 6 of the 7 participants. Subsequent reinforcer assessments, conducted for 2 participants, showed that activities identified in the preference assessments that provided access contingent on selection resulted in more responding than did activities identified in the preference assessment that did not include access to items following their selection.
Subject(s)
Choice Behavior , Education of Intellectually Disabled , Persons with Mental Disabilities/psychology , Token Economy , Verbal Behavior , Adolescent , Child , Conditioning, Operant , Humans , Male , Motivation , Problem SolvingABSTRACT
The consumption of nonfood items (i.e., pica) frequently occurs in persons with developmental disabilities. Pica may result in the puncture or blockage of the digestive tract, infestation by gastrointestinal parasites, and can interfere with an individual's daily learning, occupational performance, and quality of life. Twenty-six published studies have examined the efficacy of behavioral-intervention packages (e.g., differential reinforcement of other behavior, noncontingent attention, or overcorrection) on the pica of persons with developmental disabilities. This article reviews those studies and discusses the effectiveness, generality, and acceptability of the various intervention packages used to reduce pica. Additionally, this article highlights the recent clinical advancements that have been made in the treatment of the pica of persons with developmental disabilities.
Subject(s)
Behavior Therapy/methods , Intellectual Disability/rehabilitation , Pica/therapy , Education of Intellectually Disabled/methods , Humans , Intellectual Disability/psychology , Pica/psychology , Reinforcement, PsychologyABSTRACT
Effects of two doses of risperidone on the performance of a matching task under tangible reinforcement and nonreinforcement conditions were measured in a woman with mental retardation. In both conditions, time to complete the task increased and response rates decreased under two doses of risperidone. Accuracy was generally unchanged. These changes were much smaller in the tangible reinforcement condition; thus, reinforcement seemed to protect performance from the rate-decreasing effects of risperidone.
Subject(s)
Antipsychotic Agents/adverse effects , Attention/drug effects , Autistic Disorder/drug therapy , Behavior Therapy/methods , Bipolar Disorder/drug therapy , Discrimination Learning/drug effects , Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders/drug therapy , Intellectual Disability/drug therapy , Risperidone/adverse effects , Adult , Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use , Autistic Disorder/psychology , Bipolar Disorder/psychology , Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders/psychology , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Double-Blind Method , Drug Administration Schedule , Female , Humans , Intellectual Disability/psychology , Pattern Recognition, Visual/drug effects , Psychomotor Performance/drug effects , Reaction Time/drug effects , Reinforcement Schedule , Risperidone/therapeutic use , Token EconomySubject(s)
Aggression/drug effects , Autistic Disorder/psychology , Cyclohexanols/therapeutic use , Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Self-Injurious Behavior/drug therapy , Adolescent , Female , Humans , Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/adverse effects , Venlafaxine HydrochlorideABSTRACT
Risperidone, an atypical neuroleptic, has become a popular option for treating destructive behaviors of persons with developmental disabilities. A few studies have been conducted that evaluate the effects of risperidone on destructive behavior; however, none of these studies have combined objective measures with rating scales to evaluate the effects of risperidone on destructive behavior across home and clinical settings. This study evaluated the wide range of effects of risperidone on destructive behavior of 2 persons with developmental disabilities using weekly functional analysis sessions, daily observations, hourly home data, weekly rating scales, and monthly psychiatric impressions. Results indicate that risperidone does decrease destructive behavior and that, for the most part, all of the various measures yielded similar results.
Subject(s)
Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use , Risperidone/therapeutic use , Self-Injurious Behavior/drug therapy , Adult , Aggression/drug effects , Autistic Disorder/drug therapy , Autistic Disorder/psychology , Coffin-Lowry Syndrome/psychology , Cross-Over Studies , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Self-Injurious Behavior/psychology , Social Environment , Surveys and Questionnaires , Tourette Syndrome/psychologyABSTRACT
Consumer satisfaction and social validity were measured during a double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the atypical neuroleptic risperidone in treating severe aberrant behavior of persons with developmental disabilities. First, a satisfaction survey was completed after a medication trial by each participant's caregiver. Results showed that 100% of the caregivers felt that participation was a positive experience for themselves and participants. Second, 52 community members viewed videotapes of 5 participants during a clinical interview when they were taking either placebo or risperidone. Raters also indicated that when on the medication, participants displayed fewer aberrant behaviors, were less irritable, in a better mood, and were more responsive to their environment.