Use of differential reinforcement of low rates of behavior to decrease repetitive speech in an autistic adolescent.
A differential reinforcement of low rates of behavior (DRL) schedule was successful in reducing repetitive speech in an autistic adolescent. Over a period of 18 months, the rate of repetitions was gradually reduced from a mean of 4.7 to less than 0.3 repetitions per min. Tokens were awarded for maintaining rates of repetitive speech below each of nine successive criterion levels. A reversal phase in which the token economy was no longer in effect resulted in a return to baseline repetition rates. Subsequent reintroduction of the contingencies saw a return to previous low levels of responding which were maintained at a 6-month and 14-month follow-up.
D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior; D014705:Verbal Behavior