Biomaterial Database

Using self-stimulation as reinforcement for autistic children. 1978

D W Hung

This experiment examined the effects of using self-stimulatory behavior as reinforcement for spontaneous appropriate sentences in two autistic children. The children were put on a token system and always received one token for every spontaneous appropriate sentence they made. An ABABA design was employed. In condition A, the opportunity to self-stimulate was contingent on the payment of tokens (two tokens for 2 minutes of self-stimulation). In condition B, no tokens were required for self-stimulation. The results showed that both subjects exhibited a much higher rate of spontaneous appropriate sentences during the contingent self-stimulation (A) condition, demonstrating that self-stimulation functioned as an effective reinforcement. The possibility of using self-stimulation as reinforcement in the treatment of autistic children is discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D012054	Reinforcement, Psychology	The strengthening of a conditioned response.	Negative Reinforcement,Positive Reinforcement,Psychological Reinforcement,Reinforcement (Psychology),Negative Reinforcements,Positive Reinforcements,Psychological Reinforcements,Psychology Reinforcement,Psychology Reinforcements,Reinforcement, Negative,Reinforcement, Positive,Reinforcement, Psychological,Reinforcements (Psychology),Reinforcements, Negative,Reinforcements, Positive,Reinforcements, Psychological,Reinforcements, Psychology
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001321	Autistic Disorder	A disorder beginning in childhood. It is marked by the presence of markedly abnormal or impaired development in social interaction and communication and a markedly restricted repertoire of activity and interest. Manifestations of the disorder vary greatly depending on the developmental level and chronological age of the individual. (DSM-V)	Autism, Infantile,Kanner's Syndrome,Autism,Autism, Early Infantile,Disorder, Autistic,Disorders, Autistic,Early Infantile Autism,Infantile Autism,Infantile Autism, Early,Kanner Syndrome,Kanners Syndrome
D012201	Reward	An object or a situation that can serve to reinforce a response, to satisfy a motive, or to afford pleasure.	Rewards
D012653	Self Stimulation	The act or process of inducing or increasing the level of arousal in oneself. It can be observed in various situations; for example, infants who are understimulated may explore their surroundings or babble to themselves.(https://dictionary.apa.org/self-stimulation accessed 12/30/2020)	ICSS Intracranial Self-Stimulation,Intracranial Self Stimulation,Self-Stimulation,Intracranial Self Stimulations,Self Stimulation, Intracranial,Self Stimulations,Self Stimulations, Intracranial,Self-Stimulations,Stimulation, Self,Stimulations, Self
D014040	Token Economy	A practice whereby tokens representing money, toys, candy, etc., are given as secondary reinforcers contingent upon certain desired behaviors or performances.	Token Reinforcement,Economy, Token,Economies, Token,Reinforcement, Token,Reinforcements, Token,Token Economies,Token Reinforcements
D014705	Verbal Behavior	Includes both producing and responding to words, either written or spoken.	Behavior, Verbal,Behaviors, Verbal,Verbal Behaviors