Further Analysis of the Immediate and Subsequent Effect of RIRD on Vocal Stereotypy

Abstract

Although numerous studies have shown that response interruption and redirection (RIRD) can decrease vocal stereotypy displayed by children with autism spectrum disorder, relatively few have evaluated the subsequent effects of RIRD. We evaluated the immediate (when a change agent implemented RIRD) and subsequent (after a change agent discontinued RIRD) effects of RIRD on two participants’ vocal stereotypy using a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design with an embedded reversal design combined with a multiple schedule. As a part of the analysis, we conducted the fourth component 25 min after the third component. In addition, we compared the effects of RIRD with 5-min and 20-min components on both participants’ vocal stereotypy. Results show that (a) RIRD during either 5-min or 20-min components decreased each participant’s immediate engagement in vocal stereotypy, (b) only RIRD during 20-min components decreased each participant’s subsequent engagement in vocal stereotypy relative to the no intervention component, and (c) the subsequent effects of RIRD did not extend into the fourth component for either participant.