Analysis of aberrant behaviour associated with Rett syndrome

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the variables involved i n the maintenance of aberrant behaviours associated with Rett syndrome. The occurrence of aberrant behaviours associated with Rett syndrome is typical ly attributed to biological variables associated with the disorder. In some cases, however, these behaviours have been shown to be sensitive to manipu lations of environmental variables (i.e. operant contingencies). However, l ittle research exists regarding the variables involved in the maintenance o f these behaviours and the manner in which these variables can be manipulat ed to effectively reduce the occurrence of these behaviours. Method: We conducted functional analyses of the aberrant behaviours exhibit ed by two females diagnosed with Rett syndrome. Following the functional an alyses, treatments were developed to disrupt the relationship between the a berrant response and the reinforcer maintaining it. Results: Results from the functional analysis suggested that in both cases the aberrant behaviours (i.e. hand wringing and hand mouthing) were maintai ned by automatic reinforcement. Treatment, which included interrupting hand wringing for one individual and preventing hand mouthing for the other par ticipant, resulted in dramatic changes in the levels of aberrant behaviour for both participants. These changes suggested that preventing reinforcemen t delivery reduced the motivation to engage in aberrant behaviour. Conclusions: These results suggest that operant variables can be manipulate d to influence the occurrence of aberrant behaviour associated with Rett sy ndrome.