Is Isolation Room Time-Out a Punisher?

Abstract

The commonly held assumption that time-out intervention, as represented by use of an isolation room, constitutes a punisher is disputed on empirical and theoretical ground. Consistent, unemotional use of T-O, without ancillary punishers, is shown to result in typical extinction curves (rather than the steeper gradient of punishment curves) for both autistic and mentally impaired children with widely different abrasive behaviors. Such curves ordinarily result from withdrawal of either a positive or a negative reinforcer. But “maladaptive” classroom behaviors are thought to be maintained by negative reinforcement, the reduction of stress (an aversive stimulus) following agression. Thus, extinction of “maladaptive” behavior will result from withdrawal of the aversive stimulus, (i.e., escape from classroom-induced stress). The danger of using punishers and the therapeutic value of reduced environmental stimulation (RES) are pointed out.