REEMERGENCE AND EXTINCTION OF SELF-INJURIOUS ESCAPE BEHAVIOR DURING STIMULUS (INSTRUCTIONAL) FADING

Based on results of a functional analysis indicating that the self-inj urious behavior (SIB) of 3 individuals was maintained by negative rein forcement (escape from instructional situations), the effects of stimu lus (instructional) fading were evaluated in a multiple baseline desig n across subjects. The rate of instructions was reduced to zero at the beginning of treatment and was gradually increased (faded in) across sessions as long as SIB remained low. However, if SIB remained high fo r 10 consecutive sessions, extinction was implemented until SIB decrea sed, at which point extinction was withdrawn and fading was resumed. T reatment was completed when the rate of instructions was the same as i n baseline (two per minute), and SIB remained below 0.5 responses per minute for two consecutive sessions. Results showed that instructional fading (without extinction) virtually eliminated SIB initially, but t hese effects were not maintained. All 3 subjects required multiple exp osures to extinction and over 150 treatment sessions in order to meet the end-of-treatment criteria. Advantages and limitations of fading pr ocedures without an extinction component, as well as extensions of bot h interventions to other clinical problems, are discussed.