Use of sensory reinforcement to increase compliant behavior of a child who is blind and profoundly mentally retarded

Author(s): French, R., Tynan, D.

Journal/Book: Clinical Kinesiology: Journal of the American Kinesiotherapy Association. 1992; 46: 3-9.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of music as a reinforcer on the gross motor performance of a 10-year-old, legally blind, profoundly mentally retarded child. The study was conducted three times a day for 10 days, lasting 30 to 40 min each. An AB time series design was used to investigate the influence of music on the subject's motor skill improvement (i.e., walking, stair climbing, standing, and sitting). Generalization data of each skill were also collected to determine if the skills could be transferred into a new environment. Follow-up data were collected 2 weeks and 3 months for three sessions each to determine if the subject maintained his level of performance over time. Based on visual inspection of the data, the use of music was an effective reinforcer to enable the child to improve his performance across the four gross motor skills. Further, he was able to generalize the skills after treatment ended, and performance was maintained after 2 weeks, but began to decrease over the 3-month period. (27 ref)

Note: Document Delivery: DD Locally Held: No Entry Month: 9212

Keyword(s): Blindness. Child. Male. Mental Retardation/th [Therapy]. Music Therapy. Patient Compliance. Psychomotor Performance

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