A comparison of noncontingent reinforcement and sensory extinction as treatments for self-injurious behavior

We compared the effects of two treatments, noncontingent: reinforcement (NC R) and sensory extinction (EXT), on the self-injurious behavior (SIB) exhib ited by 3 individuals with developmental disabilities. Results of a functio nal analysis indicated that their SIE was not maintained by social reinforc ement, as indicated by undifferentiated responding across assessment condit ions or higher rates of responding in the alone condition. Prior to treatme nt, leisure probes were conducted to identify highly preferred items for us e in the NCR condition, and equipment probes were conducted to identify dev ices that produced the greatest behavioral suppression for use in the EXT c ondition. Following baseline, treatment was implemented in a multiple basel ine across subjects design, and the effects of NCR and EXT were compared in a multielement format. During NCR sessions, participants had continuous ac cess to a highly preferred item. During EXT sessions, participants wore equ ipment (gloves or protective sleeves) that seemed to attenuate stimulation directly produced by their SIE, while still allowing the behavior to occur. Results indicated that both procedures were effective in reducing SIE, alt hough NCR was associated with either more rapid or greater overall response suppression.