Effect of intervention techniques in reducing stereotypic hand gazing in young severely disabled children.

Stereotypic hand gazing by very young severely disabled children was investigated. In Study 1 a dramatically increased therapy program substantially reduced a child's hand gazing and augmented his toy manipulation skills. In Study 2 specific interventions were prescribed for two children who were hand gazers and had significant yet correctable visual impairment. Both glasses and toys effectively reduced each child's hand-gazing. Results suggest that stereotypic hand gazing may be eliminated by intervention with very young children.