Effects of warning stimuli for reinforcer withdrawal and task onset on self-injury

Results of a functional analysis of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in a chil d with autism showed that her SIE was maintained by access to preferred obj ects and escape or avoidance of task demands. Extinction and noncontingent reinforcement treatments were supplemented by presenting a statement combin ed with a picture cue at 30-s intervals indicating that a preferred object would be removed or a task would be presented. Warning stimuli in combinati on with extinction and noncontingent reinforcement reduced SIE to acceptabl e levels. SIE rates remained comparatively high in a control condition cons isting of a 2-min delay to onset of reinforcer removal or task demands.