7 autistic children were observed while participating in discrimination learning tasks. Ratings of the topography of their stereotypies were recorded following the administration of praise or reprimand for performance on each trial. Ratings were also made following reprimands for misbehavior. Stereotypies followed reprimanded trials significantly more often than praised trials and were most likely to occur following reprimands for misbehavior. No differences were found in over-all topographic change as a function of praise or reprimand. Implications for theory were discussed.
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