Early elements in an operant chain of toilet behaviors were trained in three normal infants and five retarded children. Following that, eliminative behaviors were conditioned by operant procedures. Each child was equipped with an auditory signalling device that gave cues to the learner. Baseline behavior was recorded for a period of five days. The procedure for training consisted of two steps. First, a response was obtained through physical, verbal, and auditory prompts. Second, prompts were faded until the child responded in the presence of the auditory signal. When the device was removed the child performed without the auditory prompt. Parents were instructed in a similar procedure to enhance generalization in the home. Seven of the eight subjects reached a criterion and maintained that behavior during three criterion sessions.Acceptable toileting behavior includes walking to the commode at the appropriate times, removing clothing, eliminating in the commode, and replacing clothing. It also includes learning not to eliminate in clothing and not to eliminate at locations other than the commode. Parents often find this training, in all of its aspects, a difficult task (Spock, 1968). In common practice, parents do not undertake the total task at once. They begin with the eliminative event by placing the child on the "potty" chair. If
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