Abstract
Stereotypy has been defined as repetitive vocal or motor behaviors that are noncontextual with invariant topographies. There is an extensive literature describing specific behavioral interventions to suppress and eliminate stereotypic behaviors. One of these interventions consists of the use of a response interruption and redirection (RIRD) procedure to successfully reduce vocal stereotypy, and increase appropriate vocalizations among children with autism. RIRD consists of demands that interrupt and redirect inappropriate vocalizations. The purpose of this study was to extend the research on RIRD by implementing vocal and motor RIRD contingent upon the occurrence of vocal stereotypy. Appropriate vocalizations were observed for concomitant increases as well. Data were examined using a reversal design to compare the effects of treatment to when treatment was removed. Results suggested that the RIRD package was an effective intervention to reduce stereotypy for three participants. More specifically, findings suggested that the topography of demands to interrupt stereotypy did not significantly differ, and that appropriate vocalizations increased for two participants.