Treatment of Stereotyped and Aggressive Behaviors of Retarded Children Using Reinforcement and Response-Contingent Restraint

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The effect of combining brief physical restraint (holding arms by sides of body for 20 seconds) with differential reinforcement methods in reducing the classroom problem behaviors of two mentally retarded children was examined. In Study I, the restraint procedure was effective in reducing the frequency of a child's face-touching in two training settings. In Study II, restraint led to reduction of a child's physical aggression (pinching, grabbing clothing) across the class day. The restraint procedure was easily communicated to teachers, simply to implement, and did not require a large investment of time.