The Effect of Negative Reinforcement on Tolerance of Physical Contact in a Preschool Autistic Child

Autistic children often demonstrate an aversion to interactions with others. This social isolation is especially detrimental to early learning experiences in which a variety of prosocial behaviors are prerequisites to the development of adaptive behaviors. The present study sought to examine the effect of negative reinforcement on a 30-month-old autistic boy's tolerance of physical contact. Baseline data indicated that the child would scream and cry whenever he was approached, held, or touched by an adult. The tantrum abated when the adult moved away from the child. A quasi-reversal (AB) design was implemented, plus 4- and 5-week follow-ups to determine maintenance. During a total of nine 90-min sessions, the child was required to sit quietly in the tutor's lap for a gradually lengthened time in order to be released for 30 sec of free time. Results indicate that tolerance of physical contact increased rapidly, such that 100% quiet was achieved by the ninth session. More important, follow-up data reflect 100% maintenance. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for clinical intervention and future research.