|
Meaningful Outcome Measures for the Comprehensive Treatment of Autism: The Development and Results of a Comprehensive Program Evaluation System |
Friday, May 24, 2024 |
4:00 PM–7:00 PM |
Marriott Downtown, Level 4, Meeting Room 404 |
Area: AUT/OBM; Domain: Service Delivery |
CE Instructor: Eric V. Larsson, Ph.D. |
ERIC V. LARSSON (Lovaas Institute Midwest; University of Minnesota) |
Description: This workshop will describe twenty years of implementation of a comprehensive system of evaluating the outcomes of EIBI. This multi-modal system of evaluation addresses four main challenges. 1. Individuals need customized, person-centered outcome goals. 2. The hallmark of ABA is the direct evaluation of objective data on the individual’s behavior and social context, in order to select the most effective interventions on an ongoing basis. 3. Parents are often ill-informed regarding the level of quality of services that is necessary to result in their own desired outcomes. 4. Funders have historically failed to cover the costs of the necessary and sufficient levels of regular evaluation of outcomes and of treatment integrity. Therefore the system empowers the family with the information necessary to genuinely consent to ongoing treatment through socially valid, individualized behavioral objectives that address optimal quality of life. Behavioral objectives are not only focused on skill development, but also on actually sustainable generalization and maintenance. Regular multi-modal measures enable timely and meaningful decision-making. Social language measures focus on generative responding, acceleration, and the schedule of reinforcement in the person’s natural social interactions. Process measures involve adherence to treatment. Standardized measures include criterion-referenced measures, norm-referenced measures, and treatment integrity. |
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will be able to: (1) describe components of a system for mutually developing and evaluating meaningful behavioral objectives; (2) describe components of a system for evaluating and adjusting treatment based upon the individual's response to treatment; and (3) describe ethical issues in determining a comprehensive treatment system. |
Activities: Instructional strategies involve the presentation of the developed system of evaluation, sample measures, and the opportunity for discussion. |
Audience: Behavior analysts who have experience in delivering comprehensive treatment of autism. |
Content Area: Practice |
Instruction Level: Advanced |
Keyword(s): Authorization, Informed consent, Outcomes, Program evaluation |