The Reduction of Aberrant Vocalizations with Auditory Feedback and Resulting Collateral Behavior Change of Two Autistic Boys

Abstract

The effects of auditory stimuli, provided by music played on a small portable cassette player with headphones, on the aberrant vocalizations of two autistic boys was investigated in this study. A multiple baseline design was used to assess the effectiveness of the intervention across three regularly occurring school activities for each subject. The results indicated that the intervention was effective in reducing vocal stereotypies of one subject across all activities and for the second subject, in two activities. Social validity measures confirmed the effects of the intervention, the importance of decreasing the behavior, and that the intervention itself was not stigmatizing. The data suggested that at least some stereotypies may be controlled by their sensory consequences and that an intervention need not produce negative side effects.