Reduction of automatically maintained self-injurious behavior utilizing noncontingent matched stimuli.

Objective: Analyze the effects of noncontingent matched stimulation (NMS) on the self-injurious behavior (SIB) of an eight-year-old boy with autism.

Methods: First, a functional analysis was conducted to identify the reinforcers maintaining SIB. Next, an informal preference assessment was conducted to identify a potential object to provide safe matched stimulation.

The effects of a weighted vest on aggressive and self-injurious behavior in a child with autism.

Objective: Analyse the effects of a weighted vest on the aggressive and self-injurious behavior of a young boy with autism.

Methods: The effects of the weighted vest were examined during a functional analysis utilizing an ABAB design with an embedded multielement design, in which the participant wore a five pound weighted vest or no vest.

Results: The results do not suggest the existence of a functional relationship between the use of a weighted vest and challenging behavior, as the weighted vest had no marked effect on levels of aggression and self-injurious behavior.