Abstract
This experiment examined the effects of using self-stimulatory behavior as reinforcement for spontaneous appropriate sentences in two autistic children. The children were put on a token system and always received one token for every spontaneous appropriate sentence they made. An ABABA design was employed. In condition A, the opportunity to self-stimulate was contingent on the payment of tokens (two tokens for 2 minutes of self-stimulation). In condition B, no tokens were required for self-stimulation. The results showed that both subjects exhibited a much higher rate of spontaneous appropriate sentences during the contingent self-stimulation (A) condition, demonstrating that self-stimulation functioned as an effective reinforcement. The possibility of using self-stimulation as reinforcement in the treatment of autistic children is discussed.
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This research was conducted in a program for autistic children, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health. The author wishes to thank the director of the program, Mary Thelander, for her support.
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Hung, D.W. Using self-stimulation as reinforcement for autistic children. J Autism Dev Disord 8, 355–366 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01539637
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01539637