Problems Involved in the Use of Ammonia in the Treatment of Self Injurious Behaviour

Abstract

Ammonia has been suggested as an effective aversive stimulus for the treatment of self injurious behaviour. However, the authors' experience in using ammonia in aversive therapy programmes with two retarded children, who were also able to manipulate social situations to their advantage, suggests that ammonia is neither as easy to use nor as effective in suppressing the behaviour as had been claimed. Not only are there problems in administering ammonia but there is also the possibility of physical side effects. For these reasons ammonia cannot be recommended as an aversive stimulus.