Article
Functional Analysis and Reduction of Inappropriate Spitting
Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities
(2007)
Abstract
Functional analysis was used to determine the possible function of inappropriate spitting behavior of
an adult woman who had been diagnosed with profound mental retardation. Results of an initial descriptive
assessment indicated a possible attention function and led to an attention-based intervention, which was
deemed ineffective at reducing the frequency of spitting. A follow-up functional analysis revealed an automatic
function and an intervention of medication prescribed for gastro-esophageal reflux markedly reduced the
frequency of inappropriate spitting. The implications for using functional analysis as a means of identifying
biological events such as medical illness are discussed.
Keywords
- functional analysis,
- spitting behavior,
- developmental disabilities,
- intellectual disability,
- Disorders,
- medical conditions,
- gastroesophageal reflux,
- pica,
- allergies,
- sleep deprivation
Disciplines
Publication Date
January 1, 2007
Publisher Statement
© Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities. This document was published with permission from the journal. It was originally published in the Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities.
Citation Information
Stacy L. Carter and John J. Wheeler. "Functional Analysis and Reduction of Inappropriate Spitting" Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities Vol. 42 Iss. 1 (2007) p. 59 - 64 ISSN: 0013-1237 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/john-wheeler/48/