Decreasing self-injurious behavior(s) Self-injurious behavior refers to repeated responses made by individuals that are directed toward themselves and result in tissue damage or physical harm. Self-injurious behavior (SIB) is found in some individuals with severe mental retardation, but it is a characteristic most often associated with multiple disabilities. Nevertheless, some children and youths with normal intelligence and language skills indulge in SIB. The intent usually is to injure themselves without killing themselves. Topographies of …showed first 75 words of 2767 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2767 total…using less intrusive interventions such as differential reinforcement and extinction and then, if necessary, implementing more intrusive interventions such as response cost and time-out procedures. Finally, as a last resort, the presentation of an aversive stimulus can be used for decreasing the target behavior. NOTE: When using any of the above-mentioned interventions, it is important that a person be properly informed of and trained in the procedure before recommending or implementing use of that procedure.