Assessment and Treatment of Problem Behavior Maintained by Termination of Interruptions

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Previous research has identified termination of interruptions to repetitive behaviour as a reinforcer capable of maintaining problem behaviour. Effective treatments have included functional communication training and multiple schedules of reinforcement.

Methods: In the present study, a functional analysis determined that the aggression of an eight-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder was maintained by termination of interruptions of repetitive behaviour. An intervention was implemented consisting of differential reinforcement of other behaviour and response cost.

Results: The intervention produced and maintained a reduction in aggression and increased tolerance for interruptions of systematically increasing durations.

Conclusions: This case study demonstrates an alternative approach to the treatment of problem behaviours such as aggression maintained by termination of repetitive behaviour that includes teaching the individual to tolerate interruption of repetitive behavior.

KEYWORDS:

• Avoidance
• interruption
• differential reinforcement of other behaviour
• repetitive behaviour

Conflict of Interest

Sarah Miller declares that she has no conflict of interest. Tom Cariveau has received a postdoctoral fellowship grant from the Autism Science Foundation. Nathan Call has received research grants from National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Organization for Autism Research, and intramural funding from Emory University. Nathan Call has received honorariums from Relias Learning, Advoserv, Mississippi Childrens Home Services, Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Disabilities, Berry College, State of Iowa Department of Education, University of California Los Angelos, South Carolina Association for Behavior Analysis, Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy, Wolfson Children’s Hospital, and Asyl Miras Foundation. Jessica Alvarez declares that she has not conflict of interest.

Declarations of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.