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Effects of redesigning the physical environment on self-stimulation and on-task behavior in three autistic-type developmentally disabled individuals

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Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the effects of redesigning the physical environment (i.e., the classroom) on the occurrence of self-stimulation, ontask behavior, inappropriate behavior, and inactivity. Three developmentally disabled males, diagnosed as autistic-type, participated. Data were collected using a withdrawal design. Results showed a decrease of self-stimulation and inactivity and an increase of on-task behavior. Inappropriate behavior remained unchanged across experimental conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedagogics, University of Nijmegen, 6500 HD, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Pieter C. Duker & Eef Rasing

Authors
  1. Pieter C. Duker
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  2. Eef Rasing
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Additional information

We thank Wilma van de Aa for her contribution as a teacher of the classroom. B. Rimland is greatly acknowledged for providing diagnostic facilities. Thanks are extended to G. Lancioni for his suggestions in improving the manuscript.

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Duker, P.C., Rasing, E. Effects of redesigning the physical environment on self-stimulation and on-task behavior in three autistic-type developmentally disabled individuals. J Autism Dev Disord 19, 449–460 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02212942

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02212942

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