The collateral decrease of self‐injurious behavior with teaching communicative gestures to individuals who are mentally retarded

Abstract

Abstract The present study assessed the effect of teaching communicative gestures on the occurrence of self‐injurious behavior and other behavior disorders with 14 individuals who are severely/ profoundly mentally retarded. Results show a statistically significant decrease of about 40% in self‐injurious behavior as a collateral effect of an increased use of communicative gestures. Apart from a decrease in the occurrence of destructive behaviors, no other effects on other behavior disorders were found. Results are discussed in terms of the possible use of communicative gestures as a therapeutic supplement to standard procedures for decreasing self‐injurious behavior with individuals who are nonverbal and mentally retarded.