ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study that explores the use of certain elements of the rage-reduction technique for dealing with the problem of self-destructive behavior. Since this study was concerned with eliminating a very specific behavior, i.e., head-slapping, of a child who was classified as both autistic and retarded, two elements of R. W. Zaslow's original procedure appeared to be relevant for eliminating head-slapping: (1) inducing and/or confronting "rage," or tantrumlike behavior by means of physical restraint, for the purpose of (2) shaping hand-slapping, which is a response that is incompatible with head-slapping. These two elements constituted the treatment procedure in this study. The treatment procedure consisted specifically of the following: the experimenter would begin each session by sitting in a chair, placing the child on his lap, and holding the child in a horizontal, cradling position, in which the experimenter's arms were loosely positioned under the child's neck and knees.
