A Study to Measure The Effectiveness of Differential Reinforcement for Stereotypical Behavior in Autism Spectrum Disorder
K. M. Mariam Minazir and Kavitha M. O. T

Department of occupational therapy S.R.M University S.R.M University Kattankulathur, Kanchipuram Pin- 603203 Tamil nadu, India.

Abstract: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder frequently engage in stereotyped and repetitive motor movements. The Aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of differential reinforcement in reducing stereotypical behavior in autism spectrum disorder. The Objective was to implement differential reinforcement on children with autism spectrum disorder having stereotypical behavior. To check the effectiveness of differential reinforcement in reducing stereotypical behavior in autism spectrum disorder. The Childhood autism rating scale was used as a screening tool to select the children with mild autism spectrum disorder. The study was undertaken with 14 children with autism spectrum disorder (11 male and 3 female). Parents of 14 children completed the RBQ-2 scale giving information on the repetitive behaviors seen in the children. Pre test and post test scores were collected to evaluate the effectiveness of differential reinforcement. The Result shows that there is a significant change in reducing stereotypical behavior in autism spectrum disorder using differential reinforcement. The study concluded that upon onset of the intervention the rate of the undesired behaviors reduced. Overall, the study supported the efficacy of differential reinforcement procedures in reducing the undesired behaviors in children with autism in applied facilities.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder; stereotypical behaviors; differential reinforcement

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