Functional analysis and unsuccessful treatment of Tourette's syndrome in a man with profound mental retardation

Abstract

The head and vocal tics of a man with Tourette's syndrome and profound mental retardation were successfully assessed with the Motivation Assessment Scale and an analog functional analysis procedure. The functional analysis revealed that the primary motivation of the tic behaviors was escape from demand situations. A combined intervention of social disapproval and escape extinction was implemented without success. Subsequent administration of haloperidol also failed to decrease the frequency of tic behavior. The functional analysis and intervention results are discussed within the context of the scientist-practitioner model and the need for hypothesis-driven intervention strategies.