Differential reinforcement to decrease stereotypy exhibited by an adult with autism spectrum disorder

Butler and team worked with one adult who had autism. The person showed lots of hand flapping and repeated sounds.

They used a simple DRO plan. If the adult went a short time with no flapping or sounds, he got a small snack. They ran the plan in real-life spots like the living room and a store.

The flapping and sounds dropped fast. The low levels held up even when staff faded the snacks. The plan worked just as well at home, in the store, and at a park.

Callahan et al. (2023) and Slaton et al. (2025) show newer ways to do even more. Callahan added brief blocking and redirection for three kids. Slaton added communication and tolerance drills for three students. Both teams saw the same fast drop in stereotypy, plus wider skills.

Baranek et al. (2005) said most stereotypy is fed by its own sensory payoff and brief fixes rarely last. Butler’s adult kept the gains without extra tactics, so the old worry may not hold for every client.

Catania et al. (1974) used DRO plus timeout or candy with kids in a hospital. Butler proves a snack-only DRO still works decades later and in everyday places.

You can start simple. A basic DRO with a bite-size reinforcer may be all an adult client needs to cut stereotypy across settings. If it works, you save time and avoid extra parts. If it stalls, the newer studies give you ready upgrades like RIRD or communication drills.