Decreasing Self-Injurious Behavior In Two Profoundly Handicapped Individuals By Increasing On-Task Responses Through The Use Of A Reinforcement Procedure

The focus of this study was treatment of high levels of self-injurious behavior exhibited by two profoundly mentally retarded individuals. Both individuals participated in experimental sessions which followed a withdrawal research design with probe non-treatment sessions . . . The results of this study indicate that in these cases it was not necessary to suppress self-injury through the use of intrusive or restrictive methods before more appropriate behavior could be established in its place.