The effects of implementing program consequences with a group of individuals who engaged in sensory maintained hand mouthing.

This study evaluated whether a multicomponent treatment package could be successfully implemented with individuals who engage in self-injurious hand mouthing maintained by sensory consequences in the context of both individual and small group settings. Three ambulatory individuals with profound mental retardation participated on an individual basis followed by treatment within a group setting. Generalization of the intervention results to the natural living environment was then analyzed. Using an ABAB experimental design, the effectiveness of brief response interruption followed by the introduction of a preferred leisure item to reduce hand mouthing during 15-min intervention sessions was analyzed. Results of these experiments showed that the intervention could be successfully implemented during individual and small group sessions and during group sessions conducted in the natural environment. The benefits and limitations of this intervention strategy and future research are discussed.

Using decelerative contingencies to reduce the self-injurious behavior of people with multiple handicaps: the effects of response satiation?

The response satiation model of instrumental performance was used to establish contingencies to reduce the self-injurious behavior (SIB) of two adults with profound mental retardation and multiple handicaps. In Experiment 1, withdrawal designs indicated behavior reductions of 68% and 82%, respectively, when contingencies were implemented that required the participants to engage in leisure activities at greater than baseline levels if they continued to perform the SIB at their baseline level. Experiment 2 involved the transfer of the treatment to the participants' respective living areas using staff as trainers. The largest reductions in behavior were associated with treatment packages that contained response satiation contingencies, and generality of the treatment packages across locations and trainers occurred. The limitations of this study as an analysis of response satiation theory were noted; however, it was concluded that the response satiation approach to establishing contingencies for reducing SIB was worthy of future investigation.

Computer prompts to improve social interactions and data collection.

In this study we sought to improve the distribution and quality of staff-client interactions by comparing a traditional paper-and-pencil system of prompts and recording to a computerized system across 4 staff members. Results showed that the computer system produced more positive statements, an improved distribution of interaction among clients, and a larger increase in the delivery of positive reinforcement when compared to a traditional paper-and-pencil system. The use of computer prompts appears to provide a simple method of improving staff-client interactions and provides a method of documenting interactions and staff members' adherence to prescriptive programs.

Improving accuracy in documentation of restrictive interventions by direct-care personnel.

Accurate and reliable documentation of rights restrictions is critical for evaluating a program's success against the intrusiveness of a behavioral intervention, complying with regulatory standards, and refining treatment strategies. Direct-care and ancillary staff in three cottages at a state facility for persons with mental retardation were selected to evaluate a revised documentation system, including a new form, inservice training for staff inservice, and staff feedback, that was implemented sequentially across cottages. Results showed an immediate and sustained reduction in documentation errors following the implementation of the documentation system. Benefits and limitations of the new system were discussed.