Inside Behavior Analysis
Volume 3 | 2011 | Number 2 | Online ISSN: 2151-4704
Rehabilitation and Independent Living
By Chris Persel
The Rehabilitation and Independent Living Special Interest Group (RAIL SIG) continued to support the need for expanding the impact of behavior analysis in the field of rehabilitation, neurorehabilitation, and related areas. Following the 2010 ABAI annual convention and SIG business meeting, the RAIL SIG developed a Facebook page to maintain contact and present information of interest to its members. Visit the page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/ABA-Rehab-Special-Interest-Group/118243448217580.
Individuals can join the SIG anytime by sending a message through the Facebook page to Chairman Chris Persel or visit the group at the next SIG business meeting.
Members will be working to develop standards for behavior assessment and treatment guidelines in neurorehabilitation due to the current lack of consistent direction and a reliance on pharmacological interventions. Rehabilitation, such as that for individuals with acquired brain injuries, bridges a gap between the medical model and the community reintegration model. The goals of behavior analysis strongly mirror those of rehabilitation, yet are used infrequently in both models. Functional skill development and retraining, intensive social skills treatment, and management of maladaptive and crisis behavior are just a few examples of areas in rehabilitation that require a behavior analysts input. The struggles of our soldiers who have suffered brain and other injuries continue; rehabilitation facilities and professionals—including behavior analysts—must develop partnerships with the Veterans Administration to meet the tremendous need of the returning service personnel. Sports concussion information and efforts from the NFL have raised the awareness of the severe impact of repeated brain injury on athletes at all levels of play. The civilian rehabilitation population faces significant challenges with uncertainty of health care reform and tightening insurance guidelines. Behavior analysts must participate in providing intervention for individuals from all of these arenas. Why would a discipline (behavior analysis) with proven effectiveness and evidence-based support not push for increased acceptance in rehabilitation services?
In rehabilitation, there is a strong need for training staff from a number of other allied health professions—such as physical and speech therapies—on how to approach behavior challenges effectively. There are also tremendous challenges for families of individuals in rehabilitation when it comes to addressing difficult behavior. Behavior analysts are again an excellent resource for providing the training on behavior interventions. Training for the treatment team and families will contribute to greater maintenance and generalization of treatment goals.
The RAIL SIG has welcomed members from such diverse backgrounds as physicians and brain injury professionals to students and concerned family members. The power of that diversity is evident in lively discussions and informative exchanges of information. Members are encouraged to share articles, program ideas, and professional experiences. Members of the RAIL SIG must be a part of the solution. Growth of the RAIL SIG has come from current members networking with their peers and having the courage to rise to significant challenges this treatment population presents. The RAIL SIG business meeting took place in Denver on Sunday, May 29. Opportunities to exchange research concepts, job openings, internships, and thoughts on future SIG directions were welcomed.