An Investigation of the Educative Effects of Overcorrection on the Behavior of an Autistic Child

Abstract

A short overcorrection procedure involving appropriate play with target toys was used to consequate the stereotypic manipulation of objects by an autistic child in a free play situation. The effects of this procedure on both stereotypic behavior and appropriate play were examined using an ABAB design. In order to evaluate the educative value of the procedure, separate data were collected on appropriate play with target toys and on appropriate play with all other toys available. It was found that: (a) The overcorrection procedure was an effective decelerator of the stereotypic manipulations; (b) inverse covariation occurred between level of stereotypic behavior and appropriate play; and (c) increases in appropriate play with target toys were similar to increases in play with other toys. The results indicate that overcorrection does not necessarily possess educative value. This study provides support for the hypothesis that observed increases in appropriate behavior during overcorrection interventions are due to the increased reinforcement value of alternative activities in general, that may accompany the suppression of stereotypic behavior.

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