SELF-INJURY IN THE PROFOUNDLY RETARDED: CLINICALLY SIGNIFICANT VERSUS THERAPEUTIC CONTROL

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Abstract
The effects of behavioral interventions were studied on the self-injurious behavior of 2 profoundly retarded girls who had a long history of such behavior. In the 1st experiment (exp), response-contingent aromatic ammonia was used as the aversive stimulus of reduce the high frequency of face-slapping and face-hitting in a deaf and blind girl. In the 2nd exp an overcorrection procedure was used to control jaw-hitting in another girl. In both cases, the treatments resulted in near-zero levels of self-injury. Complete suppression of self-injury was not achieved. Clinically significant vs. therapeutic control of self-injurious behavior in institutionalized profoundly retarded persons was discussed.