Abstract Objective: The research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of differential reinforcement of incompatible (DRI) behaviors and social support (SS) on the problematic symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with comorbid Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD).Method: This is a quasi-experimental study with a single-subject design of the ABA model, which was conducted on an 8-year-old boy with symptoms of ADHD and SAD. The boy received a program of DRI behaviors and SS for 20 days. Then the number of problematic behaviors (receiving reminders to sit down, not doing or incomplete assignments, feeling uncomfortable and needing mother to be at school) in the three steps (first baseline, experimental phase and second baseline) was drawn in a diagram and the process of changes was visually analyzed. Results: The research findings showed that the problematic behaviors decreased in the experimental phase as compared to the first baseline, where no intervention had taken; this decrease continued in the second baseline, where the interventions were stopped. Also the score of the Connors questionnaire of the teachers' version was 84 before the experiment, which decreased to 43 after the experiment. Moreover, the score of the separation anxiety questionnaire of the parents' version was 82 before the experiment, which increased to 51 after the experiment. Conclusion: It seems that the method of DRI&SS has been able to reduce the main symptoms of ADHD and SAD. Therefore, it can be said that because there was no punishment or time-out in the reinforcements and supporting methods, it can reduce the tension in children suffering from ADHD comorbid with SAD, as well as the symptoms. Keywords: Differential reinforcement incompatible behavior, Social support, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder, Separation anxiety disorder
Bayanlou A. Effectiveness of Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behaviors and Social Support on the Problematic Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder with Comorbid Separation Anxiety Disorder (A Single-subject Study). JOEC 2024; 24 (3) : 1 URL: http://joec.ir/article-1-1886-en.html