Suppression of Chronic High Frequency Spitting in a Multiply Handicapped and Mentally Retarded Adolescent

Abstract

Excessive drooling and spitting are maladaptive behaviors often encountered among severely developmentally delayed children. In the present study a blind, deaf and retarded adolescent exhibited an extremely high rate of spitting which had resisted numerous classroom intervention efforts by teachers using punishment techniques. His recalcitrant spitting was eliminated with a behavioral intervention consisting of positive reinforcement for not spitting and facial screening for spitting. Experimental control was demonstrated using a multiple baseline across situations and within subject reversal design. The treatment package successfully eliminated the child's chronic spitting. Teacher reports one year later indicated the results maintained across time and spitting was no longer a problem. Social and academic implications of modifying such behaviors are discussed.