The stability of function of automatically reinforced vocal stereotypy over time |
| |
Authors: | Kara L. Wunderlich Timothy R. Vollmer Lindsay R. Mehrkam Erica N. Feuerbacher Sarah K. Slocum Faris R. Kronfli Eliana Pizarro |
| |
Affiliation: | 1. Rollins College;2. University of Florida;3. Monmouth University;4. Virginia Tech;5. Marcus Autism Center and Emory School of Medicine |
| |
Abstract: | Although prior research has suggested the function of socially reinforced problem behavior can change across time, the stability of the function of automatically reinforced behavior is largely unknown. Further, some authors have suggested automatically reinforced behavior is likely to enter into socially mediated contingencies. The present study compared 2 functional analyses conducted on the same target behavior at least 1 year apart. Participants were 6 individuals diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability displaying automatically reinforced vocal stereotypy. Results indicated the function of each participant's vocal stereotypy remained stable over time (i.e., no new functions were acquired); however, future research on functional stability for automatically reinforced behavior of other topographies is needed. |
| |
Keywords: | autism automatic reinforcement functional analysis stereotypy |
|