Date of Award

8-1979

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Brian A. Iwata

Second Advisor

Dr. Cheryl Poche

Third Advisor

Dr. Paul Mountjoy

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Pathological tongue thrust (reverse swallowing) has been linked to malocclusion, articulation problems, difficulty in eating, and excessive drooling. Observable tongue thrust in a 10-year-old severely retarded male was modified during lunch using a contingent pushback procedure. Comparison of baseline and treatment data collected by the partial interval method showed a significant reduction in tongue thrust and food fallout and a substantial increase in observed chewing. Results indicated the possibility that an operant approach to treatment can be effective in the modification of this physiological response.

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