Compliance Training in an Adult With Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type and Down Syndrome

The authors describe the treatment of noncompliance and public stripping in a 53-year-old man with Down syndrome and dementia. Based on a review of the relevant literature and a comprehensive functional behavioral analysis, an intervention procedure utilizing contingent reinforcement of compliance was conducted. Compliance with requests to allow assistance getting dressed was reinforced with a combination of verbal praise, physical contact, and edible reinforcers. Noncompliance had decreased by 85.22% at follow-up. Factors responsible for intervention success and implications for clinicians are discussed.