Restitution

Restitution is a corrective procedure that consists of both restoring and improving the environmental effects of an inappropriate or undesired behavior. Essentially, the individual who engages in the unwanted behavior is required to not only correct but also improve the environmental consequences of that behavior. For example, a child who throws food on the wall may be required to clean the entire wall in addition to the spot on the wall where the food was thrown.

Restitution is one component of a larger set of aversive procedures referred to as overcorrection. Generally, overcorrection consists of two components: restitution and positive practice. The primary distinction between these two procedures is a topographical one. In restitution, the corrective behavior is directly related to, and as such, is topographically [Page 1007]identical to, the undesired behavior, as can be seen from the example provided above. Since the corrective behavior is directly related to the unwanted behavior, it is assumed that restitution aids in the learning process by helping the individual to realize the effort required to restore the environment. Conversely, positive practice consists of repeatedly engaging in an appropriate behavior that usually is incompatible with the unwanted behavior that is to be suppressed. Positive practice is an educative procedure in that it provides the individual with the opportunity to engage in the appropriate behavior.

Since it was initially used to decrease aggressive behavior in a severely retarded female, restitution has been used successfully in a variety of clinical, educational, and institutional settings for a wide range of behaviors. Restitution has been effective in decreasing aggressive behavior, toileting accidents, and tantrums and has been shown to be effective at increasing the use of table manners.

From a practical perspective, restitution can be difficult. Because restitution requires that the environment not only be restored but also be improved from prebehavior conditions, restitution requires adequate staff to ensure that this actually occurs. Staff members are needed to oversee behaviors and to provide the prompts that might be needed to ensure that restitution actually takes place. Providing these prompts can be problematic if the client resists or becomes aggressive. If physical force is required, alternative techniques may need to be considered.

As mentioned, clients may have to be prompted or physically guided, at least in the early stages of the procedure, for restitution to be effective. Thus, the supervision required is a consideration. The individual overseeing the procedure must make sure that restitution is being carried out and that the prompts needed are delivered in a constructive way. The financial realities of treatment settings may make this requirement difficult to meet. A number of studies have shown that restitution was effective but had to be terminated because the procedure required too much staff and supervision.

Finally, restitution is not appropriate for all types of behaviors, as some behaviors do not lend themselves to restitution. For example, many self-stimulatory and self-injurious behaviors have no clear environmental consequences that can be corrected. In these situations, positive practice may be a viable alternative.

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