ERIC Number: EJ1014808
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Jul
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1360-2322
EISSN: N/A
An Evaluation of Multi-Component Exposure Treatment of Needle Phobia in an Adult with Autism and Intellectual Disability
Wolff, Jason J.; Symons, Frank J.
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, v26 n4 p344-348 Jul 2013
Background: Fear of medical procedures in general and needles in particular can be a difficult clinical challenge to providing effective health care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Methods: A changing criterion design was used to examine graduated exposure treatment for blood-injury-injection phobia in an adult male with autism and intellectual disability and a history of medical noncompliance. The additional contributions of differential reinforcement and a safety signal were also evaluated during treatment. Results: Compliance with needle-to-skin contact was achieved by the final criterion phase, and the behavior was maintained on follow-up. Differential reinforcement and a safety signal added to the quality of treatment but were successfully faded as treatment progressed.
Conclusions: An exposure approach was effective in reducing phobic behavior and may be flexible enough to accommodate component changes and leaner reinforcement schedules applicable to real-world settings. (Contains 1 figure.)
Descriptors: Fear, Mental Retardation, Developmental Disabilities, Adults, Autism, Males, Behavior Modification, Reinforcement, Compliance (Psychology), Safety, Cues, Stimuli
Wiley-Blackwell. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8598; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A