Ahearn et al. (2007) examined non-communicative …show more content…
(2007) are those of vocal stereotypy in children with developmental disabilities. Baer et al. (1968) state that the primary question of “How immediately important is this behavior or these stimuli to this subject?” Vocal stereotypy is the behavioral interest because it is both important to the individual and the society in which they are a part of. Stereotypic behavior is characterized by its repetitive motor and vocal responses that serve no appropriate function (Ahearn et al., 2007). The article focused on a subtype of stereotypic behavior, which is vocal stereotypy closely related to echolalia, which is describe as “parroting of the speech of others (Ahearn et al., 2007). Furthermore, vocal stereotypy is any instance of speech that is non-contextual or nonfunctional that includes babbling, singing, repetitive grunts, squeals, and phrases that are not related to the present situations (Ahearn et al., 2007). Vocal stereotypy is important to the individual with developmental disability because it serves the purpose of sensory stimulation and automatic reinforcement. Although the purpose is to automatically reinforce the individual, to the society, and the individual as well, vocal stereotypy can hinder social interactions and cooperative play by isolating the individual who is displaying the behavior. Vocal stereotypy has also been found to take the place of appropriate vocal responses such as appropriate social interactions, mands in request of items, or in conversation