title: Investigation of a reinforcement-based toilet training procedure for children with autism.
abstract: Independent toileting is an important developmental skill which individuals with developmental disabilities often find a challenge to master. Effective toilet training interventions have been designed which rely on a combination of basic operant principles of positive reinforcement and punishment. In the present study, the effectiveness of a reinforcement-based toilet training intervention was investigated with three children with a diagnosis of autism. Procedures included a combination of positive reinforcement, graduated guidance, scheduled practice trials and forward prompting. Results indicated that all procedures were implemented in response to urination accidents. A three participants reduced urination accidents to zero and learned to spontaneously request use of the bathroom within 7-11 days of training. Gains were maintained over 6-month and 1-year follow-ups. Findings suggest that the proposed procedure is an effective and rapid method of toilet training, which can be implemented within a structured school setting with generalization to the home environment.
authors.affiliation: Eden II Programs, 150 Granite Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10303, USA. fcic7@aol.com
authors.forename: Frank R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Cicero
authors.forename: Al
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pfadt
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004519:Education, Special; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D014039:Toilet Training; D014040:Token Economy