The application of sensory extinction procedures to self-injury

Abstract

The present study assessed whether sensory extinction procedures would be effective in treating some instances of self-injury. Three developmentally disabled children participated, each evidencing self-injury that was thought to be motivated by sensory rather than social reinforcement. Using reversal designs and a quasi-multiple baseline, sensory extinction procedures were introduced to remove the tactile stimulation from head-banging and face-scratching. The results showed the following: (1) the treatments were effective for all three children, immediately and substantially reducing the rate of self-injury; (2) the treatments required minimal child surveillance and staff training; (3) maintenance of treatment gains was programmed with a stimulus-fading procedure; (4) the target child and other children in the class continued to work without disruption while the treatments were in effect; and (5) teachers found the procedures ethically acceptable, and reported a large reduction in anxiety while the treatment was in effect.