Application du renforcement non contingent pour
réduire les comportements problématiques chez les
personnes ayant un trouble du spectre de l’autisme
Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) is an intervention with strong empirical support to reduce problem behaviour in individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The intervention involves providing access to a preferred stimulus, typically the reinforcer maintaining the problem behaviour, on a regular or continuous basis. The paper has an educational purpose, which is to describe and discuss issues to consider when applying NCR with individuals with an ASD. The importance of conducting a functional assessment prior to intervening is explained with an emphasis on the different types of reinforcers that maintain problem behaviour. Then, the identification of preferred stimuli is described in case the reinforcer maintaining the problem behaviour cannot be used as part of NCR. Subsequently, two different procedures are presented in order to assist clinicians in implementing the intervention. A fictitious clinical example illustrates the use of NCR with a child with an ASD who emits problem behaviour (i.e., screaming) during meetings at home between his mother and a professional. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of the intervention as well as directions for future research are discussed to promote an optimal application of NCR with individuals with an ASD.
Intervention Intervention Noncontingent reinforcement Problem behavior Time-based schedule Autism