The case study demonstrates the use of negative reinforcement for initial response conditioning of a seven-year-old deaf, blind, physically handicapped boy. A systematic procedure for reinforcer sampling failed to identify items for positive reinforcers. A procedure for removal of an aversive stimulus (negative reinforcement) was then successfully…

The study demonstrated the effectiveness of using a multielement design to identify functional reinforcers for a noncommunicating, low functioning, deaf blind boy (age 9). Results indicated that both social and tangible reinforcing consequences were effective in reducing incorrect responses; both types of consequences were more effective than…

A 13-year-old deaf-blind boy who exhibited disruptive problem behaviors during mobility training sessions was successfully treated in a program that incorporated contingent reinforcement for reduced rates of responding. A 1-year follow-up assessment revealed continued behavioral improvement. (Author/JDD)