Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
370547 Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 2009 9 Pages PDF
Abstract

The current study investigates the comparative effects of sensory-integration therapy and behavioral interventions on rates of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in a 9-year-old boy with diagnosis of autism. A functional analysis was conducted to identify the variables maintaining the self-injurious behavior. This analysis demonstrated that SIB was maintained by negative reinforcement as a result of escaping or avoiding demand situations. A sensory-integration therapy and a behavioral intervention were compared within an alternating treatments design. Results from this study clearly demonstrate that the behavioral intervention was more effective in reducing SIB than the sensory-integration therapy. Finally, in the best treatment phase, the behavioral intervention only was implemented and further reduction was observed in the frequency of SIB.

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