title: Functional analysis and intervention to reduce self-injurious and agitated behavior when removing protective equipment for brief time periods.
abstract: The authors conducted studies that were designed to maintain low levels of hand-to-head self-injury when protective equipment was removed (i.e., rigid arm sleeves and a protective helmet) for brief time periods with an individual with profound intellectual disabilities. A series of assessments was first conducted of a topographically similar form of behavior to self-injury when the person was wearing protective equipment (i.e., hitting helmet with rigid arm sleeves). Results of these assessments indicated that head hitting (with equipment) was not sensitive to social consequences (Study 1) but that it was reduced substantially when the individual had access to items that produced vibration or vibration and sound (Study 2). A treatment protocol that included items that produced vibration and vibration with sound produced substantial reductions in attempts at self-injury and agitation when protective equipment was removed for brief time periods (Study 3).
authors.affiliation: Department of Special Education, George I. Sanchez Building, Room 306, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA. markoreilly@mail.utexas.edu
authors.forename: Mark F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Giulio E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Lancioni
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sigafoos
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lacey
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000523:psychology*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use