Problem behavior can interfere with learning, the development of appropriate skills, and socialization in persons with developmental disabilities. In severe cases, problem behavior could result in life-threatening injury. For one 21-month-old participant diagnosed with autism engaging in severe problem behavior for whom reinforcement-based interventions had failed, punishment was implemented. After the efficacy of punishment alone was evaluated, it was implemented concurrent with response-independent attention. Problem behavior was suppressed and appropriate toy play emerged as a function of these combined interventions. Thus, punishment in combination with response-independent attention was an effective intervention for severe, attention-maintained problem behavior. (Contains 1 figure.)