A mute 23-yr.-old woman, diagnosed as catatonic schizophrenic, received systematic reinforcement therapy from personnel on her ward (three aides and another patient). Employing food reward and social approval, and assisted by a simple electronic device, this treatment reinstated a substantial degree of verbal communication. 6 mo. later, on an “open” ward, the patient was judged to be satisfactorily adjusted although she continued to converse only with her roommate.
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