Efectos de las operaciones motivadoras en una conducta autolesiva mediante las presesiones.

This study explored the effects of motivating operations on the self-harming behaviour of a 42-year-old woman with intellectual disabilities. Functional analysis showed that her behaviour was maintained by positive social (attention and tangible) and automatic reinforcement. A multielement design was used to explore presession effects (access to attention and attention deprivation) on the frequency of the behaviour. The results showed that when access to attention was presented to the participant, the frequency of the behaviour decreased, suggesting the action of an abolishing operation. In conclusion, the use of preventive strategies to treat problem behaviours are emphasised, as well as the need for a functional assessment to understand the nature of these behaviours and to design intervention plans aimed at minimizing such behaviour.