Punishment of self-injurious behavior in natural settings using contingent aromatic ammonia

Abstract

Contingent aromatic ammonia suppressed the self-injurious behavior (SIB) of two retarded children in clinic, home and school settings. In Study 1. several reversals demonstrated the effectiveness of a 3-s ammonia contingency in the deceleration of hair-pulling in the clinic after a momentary ammonia contingency was shown to be no different from differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO). Family members and school personnel suppressed the behavior in the home, grandparents' home and school in multiple baseline fashion. Difficulties in long term maintenance were encountered and discussed. In Study 2, a multiple baseline across Trainers 1 and 2 in a preschool setting and mother at home demonstrated the effectiveness of response-duration ammonia in eliminating hand-biting. Complete suppression was maintained at a 1-year follow-up. These studies replicated the suppressive effects of aromatic ammonia, extended the findings to children with different SIBs in natural settings with family members and teachers as therapists, demonstrated the necessity for different durations of ammonia, and suggested that maintenance must be assessed and programmed rather than assumed.