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Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis logoLink to Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
. 2003 Summer;36(2):259–261. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2003.36-259

Functional analysis and treatment of verbal perseverations displayed by an adult with autism.

Ruth Anne Rehfeldt 1, Mark R Chambers 1
PMCID: PMC1284439  PMID: 12858991

Abstract

The function of perseverative speech for an adult man who had been diagnosed with autism and mental retardation was examined. Results showed that verbal perseverations were maintained by social attention. An intervention consisting of differential reinforcement of appropriate verbal responses and extinction of perseverative verbal responding was effective in decreasing verbal perseverations.

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Selected References

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