Immediate and subsequent effects of response interruption and redirection on targeted and untargeted forms of stereotypy.

Two children with autism took part. Each had loud motor stereotypy, like hand flapping.

The team used response interruption and redirection, or RIRD. They blocked the movement and asked the child to do another action with his hands.

Sessions happened at a table. The researchers watched to see if the stereotypy stayed low after they stopped RIRD.

Motor stereotypy dropped the moment RIRD started. It stayed low while the team watched.

Untargeted vocal stereotypy barely moved. It did not rise later, so there was no boomerang effect.

Falligant et al. (2020) ran a direct replication. They added fun items after each RIRD block. Motor stereotypy still fell, showing the basic effect holds even when you sweeten the deal.

Ding et al. (2017) asked the same question about untargeted forms. They used NCR and DRO instead of RIRD. Their untargeted stereotypy often fell, while J et al. saw almost no change. The gap is likely about procedure: NCR gives steady sensory input that can quiet other forms; RIRD only interrupts and redirects.

Hawkes et al. (1974) showed that stopping self-stimulation boosts play. J et al. add a safety note: after you stop, the behavior does not surge back. Together they tell us suppression can be clean if you redirect, not just block.

You can use RIRD to get quick, lasting drops in motor stereotypy without fear of a rebound. Do not rely on it to cut vocal stereotypy at the same time. If you need both to fall, pair RIRD with matched sensory input or run a separate NCR plan for the vocals.