Student Research Symposium Program Portal: Submission #187

Abstract My poster displays the rationale, procedures and results for a protocol I designed and implemented for an eight-year old boy with autism spectrum disorder. The purpose of this protocol was to increase reinforcement utilized for his haircutting desensitization program. The clinical team implemented a variety of programs to help the client receive a haircut in the absence of avoidance and maladaptive behaviors. However, previous attempts proved to be unsuccessful, as the client avoided a haircut when brought to the salon. Therefore, a protocol was developed to increase the reinforcement utilized throughout his haircutting desensitization program. This protocol utilized token economy procedures to motivate the client to continuously make progress with receiving a haircut. After implementing the token economy, the client quickly mastered his original hair cutting program, and successfully received a hair cut in a salon with zero maladaptive behaviors.