A preliminary evaluation of empirically derived consequences for the treatment of pica.
Individualized treatment packages were developed for 3 children with high-rate severe pica using a discrimination training paradigm and a behavioral assessment-based procedure known as empirically derived consequences. Children received empirically derived reinforcers for eating under appropriate stimulus conditions (i.e., eating food only from a plate and placemat that served as a discriminative stimulus) and empirically derived punishers for attempts to engage in pica. This treatment package resulted in marked reductions in pica and an increase in appropriate eating for all 3 children in a "baited" analogue condition. In addition, low rates of pica were maintained for 9 months for all 3 children. These results suggest that treatment effectiveness may be enhanced when behavioral assessment data are used to identify potent consequences.
Fisher
W W
WW
Neurobehavioral Unit, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland 21205.
Piazza
C C
CC
Bowman
L G
LG
Kurtz
P F
PF
Sherer
M R
MR
Lachman
S R
SR
D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D004495:Education of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010842:Pica / Q000628:therapy*; D011678:Punishment; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results