Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of operant conditioning techniques to toilet train children in an autism ward of a hospital for developmentally disturbed children. Five profoundly retarded males with clear clinical manifestations of autism were selected as subjects. Records of the urination behavior of these subjects were kept during a baseline period and throughout the application of procedures. Appropriate urination behavior was immediately followed by positive reinforcers, such as candy, verbal praise, and physical affection. Inappropriate urination behavior was immediately followed by negative reinforcers, verbal as well as physical. The results of this study show that operant conditioning techniques can be used to change the urination behavior of profoundly retarded autistic children even where other methods have failed. Factors requiring further investigation for their possible impact on the effectiveness of these procedures in toilet training autistic children are also discussed.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Azrin, N. H., Bugle, C., & O'Brien, F. Behavioral engineering: Two apparatuses for toilet training retarded children.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1971,4, 249–253.
Azrin, N. H., & Foxx, R. M. A rapid method of toilet training the institutionalized retarded.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1971,4, 89–99.
Cassell, R. H., & Colwell, C. N. Teaching the profoundly retarded self-help activities by behavior shaping techniques. In Gerald J. Bensberg (Ed.),Teaching the mentally retarded. Atlanta: Southern Regional Education Board, 1965.
Dayan, M. Toilet training retarded children in a state residential institution.Mental Retardation, 1964,2, 116–117.
Ellis, N. R. Toilet training the severely defective patient: An S-R reinforcement analysis.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1963,68, 98–103.
Ferster, D. B., & DeMyer, M. K. The development of performances in autistic children in an automatically controlled environment.Journal of Chronic Diseases, 1961,13, 312–345.
Freeman, B. J., Ritvo, E., & Miller, R. An operant procedure to teach an echolalic, autistic child to answer questions appropriately.Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 1975,5, 169–176.
Giles, D. K., & Wolf, M. M. Toilet training institutionalized, severe retardates: An application of operant behavior modification techniques.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1966,70, 766–780.
Hundziak, M., Maurer, R. A., & Watson, L. S. Operant conditioning in toilet training of severely retarded boys.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1965,70, 120–124.
Kimbrell, D. L., Luckey, R. E., Barbuto, P., & Love, J. G. Operation dry pants: An intensive habit-training program for severely and profoundly retarded.Mental Retardation, 1967,5, 32–36.
Pumroy, D. C., & Pumroy, S. S. Systematic observation and reinforcement technique in toilet training.Psychological Reports, 1965,16, 467–471.
Van Wagenen, R. K., Meyerson, L., Kerr, N., & Mahoney, K. Field trials of a new procedure for toilet training.Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 1969,8, 147–159.
Watson, L. S. Behavior modification of residents and personnel in institutions for the mentally retarded. In A. A. Baumeister & E. Butterfield (Eds.),Residential facilities for the mentally retarded. Chicago: Aldine, 1970.
Waye, M. F., & Melnyr, W. T. Toilet training of a blind retarded boy by operant conditioning.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychology, 1973,4, 267–268.
Wolf, M., Risley, T., Johnston, M., Harris, F., & Allen, E. Application of operant conditioning procedures to the behavior problems of an autistic child: A follow-up and extension.Behavior Research and Therapy, 1971,9, 103–111.
Wolf, M. M., Risley, T. R., & Mees, H. L. Application of operant conditioning procedures to the behavior problems of an autistic child.Behavior Research and Therapy, 1964,1, 305–312.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This study was supported in part by Foundations' Fund for Research in Psychiatry Grant No. 71–500, and by a special grant from the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare for Research on Children with Abnormal Behaviors. The author wishes to express his sincere appreciation to Dr. E. James Anthony for his direction and guidance on this study, and for his helpful comments regarding the manuscript.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ando, H. Training autistic children to urinate in the toilet through operant conditioning techniques. J Autism Dev Disord 7, 151–163 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537726
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537726