Reduction of stereotypic body contortions using physical restraint and dro

A 9-yr-old mentally retarded female displaying high rate stereotypic body contortions of longstanding duration was treated using physical restraint and differential reinforcement of other behavior in her classroom setting. Following the collection of 2 school days of baseline data, the therapist began intensive treatment of the child in the classroom using these techniques. After 2 days of intervention, the child's teacher employed all subsequent treatment procedures for 8 school days in which eight non-treatment periods occurred. Results indicated that the treatment package was succesful in producing immediate and substantial reductions in this moderately self-injurious stereotypy at school. Eventually, rate of responding reached a zero level. Although some generalization of treatment effects to the no-treatment periods in school was noted, no systematic, enduring changes in rate of responding at home were observed. The results suggested the treatment package was easily learned and effectively employed by a teacher with no previous experience with behavior modification.