|
Use of Skin-Shock at the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center (JRC) |
Long Term Effectiveness of Contingent Shock for Severe Self-Injurious Behavior
Pieter Duker and Daniel Seys
University of Nijmegen and Winckelsteegh Residential
Facility, The Netherlands
Forty-one individuals with mental handicaps of various levels of functioning and life-threatening self-injurious behavior (SIB) were exposed to contingent shock or electrical aversion treatment (EAT) using a remotely controlled device with a current output of 40 mA. Long-term effectiveness of EAT was assessed for periods ranging from 6 to 108 months for the 41 individuals, respectively. EAT was embedded in a program encompassing increasing alternative behaviors, behaviors that may compete with SIB. Factors related to long-term successful suppression are identified, as well as factors that may be related to suppression loss. Suggestions are given to overcome suppression loss. The results are also discussed in terms of the practical application of this procedure in the natural environment. Videotapes of treatment sessions will be shown.