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| Int'l Symposium - Practical Applications of ABA in the Republic of Ireland |
| Monday, May 31, 2004 |
| 10:00 AM–11:20 AM |
| Back Bay D |
| Area: AUT/DDA; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: Rita Honan (Trinity College Dublin) |
| Discussant: Haydee Toro (State of Florida Developmental Services) |
| Abstract: Learning Objectives
Participants will learn the critical factors involved in a successful, multifaceted positive behavioral programming system for adults with severe challenging behavior.
Participants will learn the key behavioral elements in teaching mainstream students to socially engage with peers with an autistic spectrum disorder.
Participants will learn the three types of validity associated with analogue assessment and how these relate to clinical utility. |
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| An Evaluation of Positive Behavioural Support for people with Very Severe Challenging Behaviours in Community-Based Settings |
| IAN M. GREY (Trinity College Dublin), Brian McClean (Brothers of Charity Services, Co. Roscommon, Ireland) |
| Abstract: This study employed a multiple baseline across individuals design to evaluate the implementation of Positive Behaviour Support for five people with very severe challenging behaviours over an eighteen month period. Four types of outcome are presented; rates of behaviour, rates of medication, psychiatric symptomatology and quality of life. The systems of support and individual costs that are required to enable these individuals to maintain outcomes and to develop improved lifestyles are also described. Systems of support include on-call intensive support services, emergency respite care, mental health review and behaviour support planning. Behaviours reduced to near zero levels following implementation of Positive Behavioural Supports and were sustained during the 12 month intervention stage. Medications reduced by 66% in the same period. Quality of Life Questionnaire scores improved significantly for three of the five participants. The results are discussed in the context of a four-cornered framework for supporting people with severe challenging behaviours in the community. |
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| Adapted Pivotol Response Training with Mainstream Children to Facilitate Social Interaction with Peers with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder |
| RITA HONAN (Trinity College Dublin), Ian M. Grey (Trinity College Dublin) |
| Abstract: Two children with Asperger’s Syndrome and four typically developing peers participated in the first of two studies designed to investigate the effectiveness of peer-implemented pivotal response training (PRT) to increase the engagement of children with AS in complex social behaviours. The intervention consisted of teaching mainstream peers 5 pivotal responses for use in 1:1 play sessions. Data was analysed by coding video footage broken down into ten second intervals. Post-intervention probes demonstrated increased engagement of the targeted children in target social behaviours. Maintenance and generalisation was not found.
In a follow-on study, 3 strategies of PR procedures were taught to 9 mainstream peers of 3 young boys with Autistic Disorder. Training in PRT was conducted as before. A multiple baseline design was incorporated, with baseline sessions staggered across time. Data was again analysed by reviewing video footage. Post-intervention increases were recorded for all three target children. 2 of these children generalised these skills to non-trained peers in post-intervention sessions. 6 weeks later results were found to be maintained with trained peers and also generalised to one non-trained peer in follow-up play sessions. Implications of these and related results are discussed. |
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| Functional Assessment and Challenging Behaviour: A Critical Review of the Validity and Clinical Utility of Analogue Assessment |
| BRIAN MCCLEAN (Brothers of Charity Services, Co. Roscommon, Ireland), Ian M. Grey (Trinity College Dublin) |
| Abstract: Analogue assessment is an experimental methodology for identifying functions of challenging behaviour. It has had a pervasive impact on the field of behavioural intervention for people with challenging behaviours. This procedure will be examined in terms of three types of validity: ecological validity, convergent validity and empirical validity. The utility of analogue assessment in clinical settings will also be explored. The primary advantage of analogue assessment is the experimental demonstration of a relationship between variables. An impressive range of advances have improved the ecological validity of the procedure. However, evidence for convergent validity is lacking. The advantage of analogue assessment over alternative forms of functional assessment has yet to be adequately demonstrated and the use of analogue assessment in routine clinical practice remains dubious. |
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