Skip to main content
Log in

An experimental study of rage-reduction treatment of autistic children

  • Articles
  • Published:
Child Psychiatry and Human Development Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A new treatment method for autism was tested on two matched samples of 15 autistic children each. Single rage-reduction sessions were compared with comparable periods of therapist contact, resulting in significant positive changes in behaviors, such as approach to therapist or eye contact, for the rage-reduction group only.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bettelheim B:The Empty Fortress: Infantile Autism and the Birth of the Self. New York, Macmillan, 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Des Lauriers AM:The Experience of Reality in Childhood Schizophrenia. New York, International Universities Press, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Ferster CB: Positive reinforcement and behavioral deficits of autistic children.Child Dev 32:437–56, 1961.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Kanner L: Autistic disturbance of affective contact.Nervous Child 2:217–50, 1943.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Lovaas OI, Beberich JP, Perloff BF, et al: Acquisition of imitative speech by schizophrenic children.Science 151:705–7, 1966.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Lovaas OI, Schaeffer B, Simmons JQ: Building social behavior in autistic children by use of electric shock.J Exper Res Personal 1:99–109, 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Rimland B:Infantile Autism. New York, Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Schopler E: The development of body image and symbol formation through bodily contact with an autistic child.J Child Psychol Psychiat 3:191–202, 1962.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Zaslow RW, Breger L: A theory and treatment of autism. In L Breger (Ed),Clinical-Cognitive Psychology: Models and Integrations. Englewood Cliffs, NJ, Prentice-Hall, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Zaslow RW: Resistances in cognitive processes: Resolving some paradoxes on Pavlov and Freud. Paper presented at the American Psychological Association meeting in Miami, Florida, September 1970.

  11. Williams CD: The elimination of tantrum behavior by extinction procedures.J Abn Psychol 59:269, 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Wolf M, Risley T, Mees H: Application of operant conditioning procedures to the behavior problems of an autistic child.Behav Res Ther 1:305–12, 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Bucher B, Lovaas OI: Use of aversive stimulation in behavior modification. In MR Jones (Ed),Miami Symposium on the Prediction of Behavior, 1967: Aversive Stimulation. Coral Gables, Fla, University of Miami Press, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Saposnek DT: The elimination of self-destructive behavior in a profoundly retarded autistic child using the rage-reduction technique. Paper presented at the Second Annual Gatlinburg Conference on Research and Theory in Mental Retardation, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, 1969.

  15. Friedman R: A “rage-reduction” diagnostic technique with young children.Child Psychiat Hum Dev 1:112–25, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

This study is based on a thesis submitted to San Jose State College, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M.A. degree. The author is especially grateful to Dr. Robert Zaslow, who, as advisor of the thesis, gave much encouragement and support for this research.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Saposnek, D.T. An experimental study of rage-reduction treatment of autistic children. Child Psych Hum Dev 3, 50–62 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01435062

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01435062

Keywords

Navigation