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Utilization of Parents and Caregivers During Assessment and Determining Effects of Treatment |
Monday, May 27, 2019 |
8:00 AM–8:50 AM |
Hyatt Regency West, Lobby Level, Crystal Ballroom A |
Area: DDA |
Instruction Level: Intermediate |
Chair: Jessica L Becraft (Kennedy Krieger Institute) |
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On the Validity of Parent Report of Treatment Effects for Severe Problem Behavior |
Domain: Applied Research |
JESSICA L BECRAFT (Kennedy Krieger Institute; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine), Michael F. Cataldo (Kennedy Krieger Institute; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine), Patricia F. Kurtz (Kennedy Krieger Institute; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine), Helen Yu-Lefler (Kennedy Krieger Institute; Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health), Chelsea Rolinec (Kennedy Krieger Institute), Usai Bah (Kennedy Krieger Institute), Yannick Andrew Schenk (May Institute), Anna Ryan (Essentia Health) |
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Abstract: One of the defining features of behavior analysis is the precise measurement of behavior over time. Often, this requires extensive training and expertise. In practice, however, observation may not be possible in the context that the behavior typically occurs. Thus, clinicians must sometimes rely on parent report. The purpose of this set of studies was to determine whether parents could differentiate between data that is consistent with an effective treatment or an ineffective treatment. Study 1 took place in an outpatient clinic setting, and Study 2 took place in clients’ homes. Thirty parents and their children, who received outpatient behavioral services for the assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior, participated in the studies. Across both studies, interobserver agreement between parents and trained observers was variable across and within parents. However, on a molar level, nearly all parents were able to differentiate between a large treatment effect and no treatment effect. Thus, parent report may be a suitable method of evaluating the overall effect of treatment. Implications for clinical practice will be discussed. |
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Training Caregivers to Use Experimental Functional Analyses in Applied Settings: Review and Practice Recommendations |
Domain: Theory |
VINCENT E. CAMPBELL (University Southern California and FirstSteps for Kids), Jonathan J. Tarbox (University of Southern California; FirstSteps for Kids) |
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Abstract: Experimental functional analyses (EFA) have become widely known as the gold-standard for conducting functional assessments of challenging behavior within applied behavior analysis. The accurate implementation of EFA procedures allows for the identification of maintaining functions and therefore development of function-based treatment plans. Despite the utility and empirical support for EFAs, many applied behavior analysts rely on less reliable assessment procedures when assessing challenging behaviors. One potential cause for avoidance of EFAs within applied practice might be related to ineffective training and/or inadequate maintenance of staff EFA skills. This presentation will review previous research on training staff to implement EFA procedures. Overall, research has shown that a wide variety of caregivers can be effectively trained to implement EFAs and that training takes relatively little time. Additionally, this presentation will present recommendations for practitioners and potential directions for research on teaching EFA procedures to graduate students, teachers, registered behavior technicians, and families. |
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