Water Misting

Water misting is an aversive punishment technique that involves spraying a light mist of water in the client's face, contingent on presentation of the undesired behavior. As a behavior change technique, water misting has several advantages. First, it is relatively easy to carry out. There is little need for training, and the mist can be delivered quickly and easily. Second, although there is relatively little discomfort, water misting has been shown to effectively suppress behavior. Finally, water misting is generally more socially acceptable than other punishment procedures such as electric shock or the presentation of aromatic ammonia.

The use of water mist has generally been reserved for self-stimulatory and self-injurious behaviors (SIB) that cannot be managed through the use of nonaversive techniques. These behaviors are persistent and highly resistant to change. The use of contingent water misting developed as a result of an effort to identify techniques that were not only effective in suppressing these behaviors but were also safe and ethically acceptable. While it is clear that electric shock does not meet these criteria, several other techniques, including aromatic ammonia, lemon juice, shaving cream, and Tabasco sauce, which have generally been regarded as less intrusive than electric shock, have been the subject of similar concern by researchers. Water misting represents an important improvement in this regard. It has been shown to be effective in reducing SIB, selfstimulatory behavior, stereotypical responding, and pica. Perhaps as important, water mist is more likely to be considered ethically and socially acceptable.

As with any punishment procedure, undesirable side effects may result from the use of water mist. Potential side effects of water mist, and punishment more generally, include emotional reactions such as crying, anger, avoidance of the punisher or the punishing situation, and aggression against the punisher. In addition to these reactions, the individual receiving the water mist may learn through modeling that punishment is an effective way to get others to comply. There is also the likelihood that the use of punishment will be reinforced in the staff member who uses it. Finally, careful consideration should go into how the water misting program will be removed. For these reasons, it is important that the use of water misting (or any aversive consequence) always be combined with reinforcement. Although less desirable than antecedent control and reinforcement techniques for a number of reasons, punishment can be an effective behavior change strategy when other approaches can't be used successfully. When administered judiciously in conjunction with reinforcement, water misting is one of the safest and most effective means of modifying behavior with punishment.