Which technique can be employed to establish communication with a 5 year old hysterical child?

The behavior modification method of aversive conditioning is also known as hand-over-mouth exercise (HOME). Its purpose is to gain the attention of a highly oppositional child so that communication can be established and cooperation obtained for a safe course of treatment. The technique fits the rules of learning theory: maladaptive acts (screaming, kicking) are linked to restraint (hand over mouth), and cooperative behavior is related to removal of the restriction and the use of positive reinforcement (praise). It is important to stress that aversive conditioning should not be used routinely but as a method of last resort, usually with children from three to six years of age who have appropriate communicative abilities.