Evaluation of procedural components of response interruption and redirection

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree

M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis

Date Completed

2016

First Committee Member

Ahearn, William

Second Committee Member

Hanley, Gregory

Third Committee Member

Thompson, Rachel

Abstract

"Previous research demonstrates that response interruption and redirection (RIRD) can effectively decrease stereotypy for individuals with autism (Ahearn, Clark, MacDonald, & Chung, 2007; Ahrens, Lerman, Kodak, & Keegan, 2011; Martinez & Betz, 2013). Ahrens et al. (2011) compared the effects of motor RIRD to vocal RIRD on both motor and vocal stereotypy using a prompting hierarchy. The purpose of the current study was to systematically replicate Ahrens et al. by comparing the efficacy of motor and vocal RIRD without prompting compliance with issued demands in the treatment of stereotypy. The RIRD procedures were presented using an ABAB design with an alternating treatments analysis during the B condition. In baseline sessions, the therapist did not deliver any consequences contingent on the occurrence of stereotypy. During both RIRD procedures, the therapist neutrally presented the corresponding RIRD demands upon the occurrence of stereotypy. The therapist continued presenting demands without prompting until the participant complied with three consecutive responses in the absence of stereotypy. The results of the current study suggest that both motor and vocal RIRD, without prompting, can effectively decrease stereotypy."

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