PRELIMINARY COMPARISON OF TWO NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT SCHEDULES TO REDUCE SELF‐INJURY

Abstract

This study compared the effectiveness of differential negative reinforcement of other behavior (DNRO) and alternative behavior (DNRA) for reducing self‐injurious tantrums maintained by escape from demands in a 4‐year‐old girl with severe retardation. Both DNRA and DNRO reduced self‐injury and increased independent performance of two tasks (tooth brushing and bathing); however, improvement on both measures was greater with the DNRA intervention.