Abstract
This study addressed the assessment and treatment of high-rate self-injurious behavior in a child who was blind and deaf. The frequency of self-injury was assessed within different environmental conditions to identify potential influences on the behavior. Effective treatment was demonstrated in the form of a simple response interruption procedure that entailed physically blocking self-injurious behaviors. Subsequently, treatment was generalized successfully throughout the child's waking hours. The study provides an example of nonaversive treatment of a serious behavior disorder and the use of a functional assessment methodology to determine treatment selection.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Luiselli, J. K. (1986). Analysis of contingently applied protective equipment in the modification of self-injurious behavior.Behav. Mod. 10: 191–204.
Luiselli, J. K. (ed.) (1989).Behavioral Medicine and Developmental Disabilities, Springer-Verlag, New York.
Luiselli, J. K., Evans, T. E., and Boyce, D. (1986). Pharmacological assessment and comprehensive behavioral intervention in a case of pediatric self-injury.J. Clin. Child Psychol. 15: 323–326.
Luiselli, J. K., Matson, J. L., and Singh, N. N. (eds.) (1991).Self-Injurious Behavior: Analysis, Assessment and Treatment, Springer-Verlag, New York.
Luiselli, J. K., and Michaud, R. L. (1983). Behavioral treatment of aggression and self-injury in developmentally disabled, visually impaired students.J. Vis. Impair. Blind. 77: 388–391.
Repp, A. C., and Singh, N. N. (eds.) (1990).Perspectives on the Use of Nonaversive and Aversive Interventions for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, Sycamore Publishing, Sycamore, IL.
Rincover, A., and Devany, J. (1982). The application of sensory extinction procedures to self-injury.Anal. Intervent. Devel. Dis. 2: 67–81.
Schroeder, S. R., Rojhan, J., Mulick, J. A., and Schroeder, C. S. (1990). Self-injurious behavior. In Matson, J. L. (ed.),Handbook of Behavior Modification with the Mentally Retarded, Plenum, New York, pp. 141–180.
Sisson, L., Van Hasselt, V. B., and Hersen, M. (1987). Psychological approaches with deaf-blind persons: Strategies and issues in research and treatment.Clin. Psychol. Rev. 7: 303–328.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Luiselli, J.K. Assessment and treatment of self-injury in a deaf-blind child. J Dev Phys Disabil 4, 219–226 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01046966
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01046966