The effects of response contingent vestibular stimulation on the behavior of autistic and retarded children.

The purpose of the present experiment was to examine the reinforcing effects of repetitive vestibular stimulation. While both autistic and retarded children would push a button for vestibular stimulation, frequency of stimulation was an important parameter for autistics but not for retardates. These results were interpreted as evidence for central rather than peripheral locus of control of motility disturbances in autistic children.