Overcorrection in ABA Therapy

Definition and Purpose

• Overcorrection is a form of punishment used in behavior therapy to modify maladaptive behaviors.
• Historically used as a negative punishment to associate maladaptive behavior with discomfort, but now seen as unethical.
• Modern ABA therapy emphasizes positive behaviors and rewards over punishment.

Modern Application

• Positive overcorrection involves requiring individuals to repeatedly perform adaptive behavior to replace maladaptive behavior.
• Short training sessions of about 30 seconds can help make adaptive behavior routine with minimal stress.
• Overcorrection should be used sparingly, with more emphasis on rewards and positive reinforcement.

Types of Overcorrection

1. Positive Practice: Repeatedly practicing the correct behavior in response to maladaptive behavior.
2. Negative Practice: Repeatedly performing the maladaptive behavior to increase aversion.
3. Restitutional: Returning to the original situation and performing the adaptive behavior instead.

History and Development

• Originated in the 1970s and studied in the early 1980s as a way to suppress undesirable behaviors.
• Positive and restitutional overcorrection developed to practice overly correct forms of behavioral change.
• Early studies showed positive overcorrection effectively reduced off-task behaviors over time.

Current Perspectives

• Overcorrection is a form of punishment and less preferred in modern ABA therapy.
• Focus on positive reinforcement and rewarding appropriate behaviors.
• Negative methods like overcorrection are less recommended due to the availability of more supportive interventions.

Effectiveness

• While positive overcorrection can still work for some individuals, especially those with autism, it is not commonly used due to alternative methods.
• Surveys indicate a small percentage of experts recommend overcorrection, favoring mild reprimand and other interventions.

Key Studies and Data

• Studies from the 1980s and more recent research reinforce cautious use of positive overcorrection.
• Research indicates that shorter practice times in positive overcorrection lead to fewer negative outcomes.

Conclusion

• Overcorrection is an older ABA tool, now used sparingly.
• ABA therapy focuses on evidence-based, positive reinforcement strategies to support behavioral improvements in individuals with autism.