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The Use of Positive Reinforcement and Stimulus Fading in the Treatment of an Elective Mute

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 June 2009

W. T. Clayton
W. T. Clayton
Affiliation:
Area Educational Psychologist, Wiltshire
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Extract

This paper describes in detail the treatment of a 6-year-old elective mute who had not spoken either at playgroup or school since the age of 3½ years. Treatment was carried out in school using an approach which combined both stimulus fading and positive reinforcement. At the end of a 7-month treatment period she was able to read aloud in class, convey messages and converse spontaneously. This behaviour was still being maintained 9 months after treatment ended.

Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 9 , Issue 1 , January 1981 , pp. 25 - 33
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 1981

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