The analysis and treatment of problem behavior evoked by auditory stimulation

The current study aimed to identify specific stimuli associated with music that served as an establishing operation (EO) for the problem behavior of a 6-year-old child with a diagnosis of autism. Specific EOs for problem behavior evoked by auditory stimulation could be identified. A differential negative reinforcement procedure was implemented for specific conditions that evoked problem behavior. Using a changing criterion and a differential negative reinforcement of other behavior, exposure to specific stimuli associated with music was gradually increased, and resulted in reductions in problem behavior to near zero levels.