Decreasing Stereotypy Using NCR and DRO With Functionally Matched Stimulation: Effects on Targeted and Non-Targeted Stereotypy.
Matched-sensory NCR or trial-based DRO can slash the stereotypy you target and often shrink the ones you do not.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team tested two ways to cut stereotypy in kids with autism. One way was noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) with matched sensory toys. The other way was trial-based differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO).
They watched if the targeted stereotypy dropped and if other, non-targeted stereotypy also changed.
What they found
Both NCR with matched toys and trial-based DRO quickly lowered the stereotypy they aimed at. The untargeted stereotypy usually dropped too, though once in a while it stayed the same.
No big bounce-backs showed up after sessions ended.
How this fits with other research
Tassé et al. (2013) used response interruption and redirection (RIRD) and also saw targeted motor stereotypy fall fast, but untargeted vocal stereotypy barely budged. The 2017 NCR/DRO study found broader spill-over, showing the choice of procedure matters for collateral gains.
Falligant et al. (2020) paired RIRD with timed access to fun items and got similar motor drops during leisure. The 2017 paper swaps RIRD for matched-sensory NCR and still wins, giving you two toolboxes instead of one.
Hawkes et al. (1974) is the grandparent here: suppressing self-stimulation boosted toy play in a simple reversal design. Ding et al. (2017) updates that idea with kinder, non-contingent methods and still protects play time by trimming stereotypy.
Why it matters
If a child's stereotypy is sensory-based, hand them a matched sensory item on NCR first. You may see the target behavior fall and other stereotypy shrink as a bonus. When you need tighter trial control, switch to brief DRO intervals. Either way, you get reductions without the harshness of pure suppression, and you keep session morale high.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
We conducted a series of studies on multiple forms of repetitive behavior displayed by four children with autism spectrum disorder. Study 1 showed that each participant's highest probability repetitive behavior persisted in the absence of social consequences, thereby meeting the functional definition of stereotypy. Study 2 showed that preferred, structurally matched stimulation decreased each participant's targeted (highest probability) stereotypy, as well as their non-targeted (lower probability) stereotypy. Study 3 showed that for three participants, non-contingent access to preferred stimulation decreased immediate and, to some extent, subsequent engagement in targeted and non-targeted stereotypy. For the fourth participant, non-contingent access to preferred stimulation decreased immediate engagement in the targeted stereotypy, but increased subsequent engagement in non-targeted stereotypy; this subsequent increase was attenuated by reducing the duration of access to the preferred stimulus. Study 4 showed that a trial-based differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) procedure systematically increased the period of time for which the targeted stereotypy was not displayed for three of three participants. In addition, results showed that the participants' non-targeted stereotypy either decreased or was unchanged when DRO was provided for the targeted stereotypy.
Behavior modification, 2017 · doi:10.1177/0145445516652370