THE EFFICACY OF STIMULUS FADING AND CONTINGENCY MANAGEMENT IN THE TREATMENT OF ELECTIVE MUTISM: A CASE STUDY1

Abstract

Stimulus fading techniques were compared to those of contingency management in the treatment of a 6-yr-old, electively mute girl. Experimental periods consisted of the mother rewarding the child for verbal and motor responses to scheduled tasks, while a stranger slowly entered the room and then gradually administered the task items as mother left the room. A timeout contingency for non-response to task items was also employed. Control periods consisted of a stranger administering the same tasks to the child under the same contingencies but without the presence of the mother or the use of stimulus fading. Experimental and control periods were alternated during each treatment hour. The stimulus fading procedure was found to be a necessary component of the treatment process. While the timeout contingency for non-response was found to facilitate treatment if combined with stimulus fading, it was completely ineffective without the stimulus fading.

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