Reduction of Disruptive Mealtime Behavior by Facial Screening

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Abstract
This study examined the effectiveness of facial screening as a treatment to reduce repetitive spoon banging by an 8-year-old, severely mentally retarded girl during meal time. In baseline, each episode of spoon banging was terminated by the behavioral observer saying "no bang" while gently grasping the subject's wrist, and returning her hand to a scoop dish. Treatment consisted of saying "no bang" and pulling a terry-cloth bib over the subject's entire face for 5 seconds. Results of an A-B-A-B design showed high frequencies of spoon banging during nontreatment conditions, which rapidly decelerated when facial screening was in effect. Follow-up data at 6-, 10-, 15-, and 19-month intervals indicated long lasting treatment benefits. Facial screening research was extended to a new experimental setting: a public school classroom.