Association for Behavior Analysis International

Individuals with developmental disabilities are more likely to experience social exclusion as a result of impairments in individual functioning and adaptive living skills, and because of the presence of direct support workers (Hall, 2016). Technology can reduce staff support, increase skill development and improve independence (Owuor et al., 2018). This project introduced iPad or iPhone technology and specialized apps to 12 adults with intellectual disabilities living in a community setting. Target skills associated with improving independence (e.g., employment skills, budgeting and banking) were identified and matched to a specialized app (e.g., Stepbystep, Intellist, Monefy). Chaining and prompting were used to teach the independent use of technology and to fade direct staff supports. Four concurrent multiple-baseline across participants designs were used to track individual progress and to illustrate the effective introduction of technology and apps, as a tool to reduce direct staff support and to increase independence in community settings. Duration data on the amount of support provided and the total task time were collected, and a percentage of direct support was calculated and tracked using multiple probes across participants. Percentage of direct support ranged between 30-100% during baseline and was successfully reduced to 0% upon the introduction of technology.

Token economies are used in a variety of settings for a range of populations. For example, token economies have been used with patients in psychiatric treatment facilities (e.g., Baker, Hall, Hutchinson, & Bridge, 2018), children in educational settings (e.g., Shillingsburg, Lomas, & Bradley, 2012), delinquents in detention centers (e.g., Phillips, Phillips, Fixsen, & Wolf, 1971), incarcerated individuals in prisons (e.g., Milan, Wood, & McKee, 1979), and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in residential settings (e.g., Reese, Sherman, & Sheldon, 1998). Given that the broad aim of token economies is to decrease problem behavior and increase adaptive behavior, better client outcomes rely on the implementation of these token economies to be carried out with high fidelity (Bailey, Gross, & Cotton, 2011). Staff implementation of token economies is one of the most noted barriers in their effectiveness (e.g., Bailey, Gross, & Cotton, 2011; Bassett & Blanchard, 1977; Drabman & Tucker, 1974). Thus, the purpose of this talk is to review the literature using token economies with this population and the importance of reporting fidelity measures used with adults with IDD. Recommendations for future research to inform the implementation of token economies will be discussed.

Increased complexity of support needs of persons with developmental disabilities (DD) living in the community and improved governance for agencies supporting adults engaging in challenging behaviour has increased demand for clinical behavioural services in Ontario. Waitlists have increased as clinical providers are required to help those most in need. In response, Regional Support Associates, a Ministry funded clinical provider for adults with DD, developed the Community Capacity Development Initiative (CCDI). CCDI was designed to complement RSA services while simultaneously building capacity within Developmental Service Agencies (DSA). CCDI is a comprehensive training focused on increasing DSA staff's ability to address problematic behaviours through the completion of a Functional Behaviour Assessment and the development of a Behaviour Support Plan. Results for a scoping review drawing from Organizational Behaviour Management and Implementation Sciences, this presentation will review factors influencing DSA's ability to increase capacity (e.g., skill acquisition, treatment adherence, generalization and maintenance). Some relevant factors include environmental factors, organizational resources, leadership style, training approaches (e.g., BST and multiple exemplars), the complexity of interventions and relationship with change agents. An overview of the CCDI training model included the training approach and efforts incorporated to address factors influencing capacity development will also be reviewed.