Reducing self-injurious behavior by facial screening.

Self-injurious behavior has been treated with a variety of techniques with varying degrees of success. Some techniques that have generally been effective, such as response-contingent shock punishment, are not always permissible to use; thus, other methods must be investigated. A multiple-baseline design was used to evaluate facial screening (covering a subject's face with a terrycloth bib) as a means of reducing a retarded person's self-injurious behavior. Facial screening applied intermittently by teachers in three special education classroom was successful in eliminating self-injurious behavior.