Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Decreasing self-stimulatory behavior with physical exercise in a group of autistic boys

  • Published:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Five autistic boys were observed during 27 language training sessions. Each session followed one of three periods: (a) physical exercise, (b) TV watching, or (c) regular academic work. It was found that (a) the lowest levels of self-stimulation followed physical exercise, (b) there were no differences in the levels of self-stimulation following TV watching and following academics, and (c) the levels of correct question answering were not affected by the three different previous periods.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Azrin, N. H., Kaplan, S. J., & Foxx, R. M. Autism reversal: Eliminating stereotyped self-stimulation of retarded individuals.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1973,78, 241–248.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baroff, G. S., & Tate, B. G. The use of aversive stimulation in the treatment of chronic self-injurious behavior.Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 1968,7, 454–470.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Case, H. W. Therapeutic methods in stuttering and speech blocking. In H. J. Eysenck (Ed.),Behavior therapy and the neuroses. Oxford: Pergamon, 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foxx, R. M., & Azrin, N. H. The elimination of autistic self-stimulatory behavior by over-correction.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1973,6, 1–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, B. J., Moss, D., Somerset, T., & Ritvo, E. R. Thumbsucking in an autistic child overcome by overcorrelation.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 1977,8, 211–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hain, R., & Lainer, H.Language rehabilitation program. New York: Teaching Resources, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, H. G. Continuation of Yates' treatment of tigueur. In H. J. Eysenck (Ed.),Behavior therapy and the neuroses. Oxford: Pergamon, 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klier, J., & Harris, S. L. Self-stimulation and learning in autistic children: Physical or functional incompatibility?Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1977,10, 311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koegel, R. L., & Covert, A. The relationship of self-stimulation to learning in autistic children.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1972,5, 381–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koegel, R. L., Firestone, P. B., Kramme, K. W., & Dunlap, G. Increasing spontaneous play by suppressing self-stimulation in autistic children.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1974,7, 521–528.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lovaas, O. I., Schaeffer, B., & Simmons, J. Q. Building social behavior in austistic children by use of electric shock.Journal of Experimental Research in Personality, 1965,1, 99–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luiselli, J. K., Helfen, C. S., Pemberton, B. W., & Reisman, J. The elimination of a child's in-class masturbation by over correction and reinforcement.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 1977,8, 201–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacDonough, T. S., & Forehand, R. Response-contingent time out: Important parameters in behavior modification with children.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 1973,4, 231–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mulhern, T., & Baumeister, A. A. An experimental attempt to reduce stereotypy by reinforcement procedures.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1969,74, 69–74.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rafi, A. A. Learning theory and the treatment of tics.Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 1962,6, 71–76.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rimland, B.Infantile autism. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  • Risley, T. R. The effects and side effects of punishing the autistic behaviors of a deviant child.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1968,1, 21–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, S.Nonparametric statistics for the behavioral sciences. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1956.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tate, B. G., & Baroff, G. S. Aversive control of self-injurious behavior in a psychotic boy.Behaviour Research and Therapy, 1966,4, 281–287.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walton, D. Massed practice and simultaneous reduction in drive level—further evidence of the efficacy of this approach to the treatment of tics. In H. J. Eysenck (Ed.),Experiments in behavior therapy. New York: Pergamon, 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, K. C., Forehand, R., Hickey, K., & Green, K. D. Effects of a procedure derived from the over correction principle on manipulated and nonmanipulated behaviors.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. 1977,10, 679–687.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • White, G. D., Nielsen, G., & Johnson, S M. Timeout duration and the suppression of deviant behavior in children.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1972,5, 111–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wooden, H. E. The use of negative practice to eliminate nocturnal head banging.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 1974,5, 81–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yates, A. J. The application of learning theory to the treatment of tics.Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 1958,56, 175–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yates, A. J.Behavior therapy. New York: Wiley, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    Robert G. Watters

  2. M. F. McHugh School, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    Wilhelmina E. Watters

Authors
  1. Robert G. Watters
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wilhelmina E. Watters
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

We wish to thank Dora VanStrepen, Alison Lennox, John Rager, Bill Sharkey, and Sheila Connolly for their cooperation and assistance, and Gordon McClure, principal, for providing an environment nurturant to research as well as to children and teachers.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Watters, R.G., Watters, W.E. Decreasing self-stimulatory behavior with physical exercise in a group of autistic boys. J Autism Dev Disord 10, 379–387 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02414814

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02414814

Keywords

Search

Navigation