Brief Functional Analysis and Simplified Habit Reversal Treatment of Thumb Sucking in Fraternal Twin Brothers

ABSTRACT

In phase 1 of this study, we used a functional analysis to evaluate the thumb sucking of fraternal twin brothers (Josh and Andy). Results from phase 1 suggest that Andy's thumb sucking was maintained by automatic reinforcement, whereas data for Josh were inconclusive. In phase 2, independent of phase 1 results, we sequentially implemented the simplified habit reversal components of awareness training, competing response training, and social support. All three treatment components plus two booster sessions reduced thumb sucking to near-zero levels for Josh. The same components failed to suppress thumb sucking for Andy, therefore, a remote detection phase was implemented. A withdrawal and subsequent re-implementation of remote detection indicated that the intervention was responsible for reducing Andy's thumb sucking. Results and need for future research are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Brief functional analysis
• habit reversal
• twin boys