Re-instatement of regular defecation routines in a four-year-old boy.
A four-and-a-half year old boy was withholding faeces for up to eight days. A programme of positive reinforcement contingent upon his being placed on the toilet according to a schedule was introduced. An operant technique of immediate, positive reinforcement was utilised to reward bowel movements. Results indicate that the reinstatement of a two-daily routine of defection was achieved after 48 days. The programme was introduced and maintained by the child's mother with no outside intervention in the routine.
D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D003672:Defecation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule