Abstract:
The current study investigates the comparative effects of sensory-integration therapy and
behavioral interventions on rates of self-injurious behaviour (SIB) in a nine-year-old boy with a diagnosis of
autism. A functional analysis was conducted to identify the variables maintaining the self-injurious behavior.
This analysis demonstrated that SIB was maintained by negative reinforcement as a result of escaping or
avoiding demand situations. A sensory integration therapy and a behavioral intervention were compared
within an alternating treatments design. Results from this study clearly demonstrate that the behavioral
intervention was more effective in reducing SIB than the sensory-integration therapy. Finally, in the best
treatment phase, the behavioral intervention only was implemented and further reduction was observed in
the frequency SIB.
