Question

Vicki is a college student who exhibits an eye- blink tic. The tic is more prevalent when she is around other people, especially in evaluative situations such as classes where she is expected to participate actively. The tic involves rapid eye blinking and squinting movements. Describe the implementation of the habit reversal procedure for this motor tic.

Answer 1

This habit reversal procedure for this motor tic would involve the following steps:

1. Awareness training: This would be carried out in order to bring about greater attention to the motor tic so Vicky can understand which specific situations are likely to induce the tic. For this, Vicky would be taught to identify the earliest warning signs that the eye-blink tic is about to take place.

2. Developing a Competing Response: Once Vicky develops awareness of his tic, he should be encouraged to lean a competing response aimed to replace the his tic. This maybe actions such as ensuring that his eyes are kept wide open.

3. Generalising the New Skill: In this part of the procedure, Vicky would be encouraged to practice the skills he learned in the therapeutic setting in his school and different contexts in which he is evaluated or expected to participate actively.