The Use of Isolated and Synthesized Latency Functional Analyses in the Assessment and Treatment of Clothing Removal Exhibited by a Child with Autism

2020 ◽  
pp. 153465012097444
Author(s):  
Kristopher Brown
Keyword(s):  
Problem Behavior ◽  
Differential Reinforcement ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Intervention Package ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Function Based Intervention ◽  
Treatment Package ◽  
Functional Analyses ◽  
Synthesized Contingencies

The case of a 9-year-old male with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who presented with problem behavior in the form of high-frequency clothing removal is reported. Descriptive data indicated the behavior occurred when tasks were presented and commonly delayed task demands and resulted in staff attention. Two latency functional analyses with isolated and synthesized contingencies were completed to clarify the operant function of the behavior. Initial results of the synthesized analysis indicated clothing removal was sensitive to attention and escape. However, a subsequent functional analysis with isolated contingencies indicated that the behavior was maintained only by attention. A function-based intervention package consisting of attention extinction, response blocking, and differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) effectively reduced the frequency of clothing removal to near-zero levels. Results of the intervention were partially generalized to a new therapist. The use of latency functional analyses as a means to rapidly examine isolated and synthesized contingencies maintaining problem behavior is discussed as well as the effects of the treatment package on the behavior of clothing removal.

Behavioral Assessment and Treatment of Aerophagia

2021 ◽  
pp. 153465012110645
Author(s):  
Mirela Cengher ◽  
Craig W. Strohmeier
Keyword(s):  
Problem Behavior ◽  
Divided Attention ◽  
Differential Reinforcement ◽  
Behavioral Assessment ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Graduated Exposure

Aerophagia is characterized by excessive air swallowing and can have serious negative effects on one’s health. We present the assessment and treatment of a 16-year-old girl, Khloe, with developmental disabilities and aerophagia. The initial assessment indicated that aerophagia occurred primarily to access attention in a divided attention context; however, our function-based treatment did not result in a clinically significant reduction in problem behavior. We then conducted a second assessment that indicated that Khloe’s aerophagia indeed occurred primarily in a divided attention context, but that it persisted independent of social consequences. We concluded that the divided attention context served as a motivating variable for aerophagia. Our second treatment consisted of differential reinforcement of other behavior, noncontingent access to competing stimuli, and graduated exposure to contextual variables (i.e., people and divided attention) that occasioned aerophagia. The treatment was successful in reducing rates of aerophagia. We discuss implications for assessment and treatment, as well as recommendations for clinicians and students.

Single-Case Analysis to Determine Reasons for Failure of Behavioral Treatment via Telehealth

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly M. Schieltz ◽  
Patrick W. Romani ◽  
David P. Wacker ◽  
Alyssa N. Suess ◽  
Pei Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Failure ◽  
Problem Behavior ◽  
Behavioral Treatment ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Functional Communication ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Results Of Treatment ◽  
Treatment Package ◽  
Single Case Designs

Functional communication training (FCT) is a widely used and effective function-based treatment for problem behavior. The purpose of this article is to present two cases in which FCT was unsuccessful in reducing the occurrence of problem behavior displayed by two young children with an autism spectrum disorder. Both children received the same functional analysis plus FCT treatment package via telehealth that had proven to be highly successful for the other participants. The FCT package was conducted within tightly controlled single-case designs for each participant, which permitted subsequent analyses to determine why FCT was unsuccessful. These analyses suggested distinct reasons for the treatment failure for each child. Although the negative results of treatment appeared to be similar for both children, the specific reasons for treatment failure were highly individualistic and identifiable via the single-case analyses conducted. We present findings from both our initial and subsequent analyses and discuss the implications.

Schedule Thinning During Functional Communication Training in the Home for Young Children With Autism

2021 ◽  
pp. 109830072199420
Author(s):  
Debra A. Prykanowski ◽  
Maureen A. Conroy ◽  
Brian Reichow
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Problem Behavior ◽  
Functional Communication Training ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Communication Training ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Functional Communication ◽  
Communicative Behavior ◽  
Function Based Intervention

Functional communication training (FCT) is a common function-based intervention for young children with or at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to teach an alternative communicative response to replace problem behavior. While FCT is effective in decreasing problem behavior, often the communicative behavior that is taught occurs at a higher rate than a caregiver can reinforce. For this study, we first examined the effectiveness of an FCT intervention to decrease problem behavior and increase appropriate communication. The intervention was based on a trial-based functional analysis (TBFA) conducted in the home. Next, we applied two approaches for thinning the schedule of reinforcement (i.e., delay to reinforcement and chained schedules) following the FCT. For all three young children (aged 3–5 years) with or at risk for ASD, at least one function of behavior was identified for each participant using TBFA and the subsequent FCT intervention led to a decrease in problem behavior and increase in functional communication. The procedure for thinning the schedule was selected based on the function of the behavior and results showed that both were successful in maintaining low levels of problem behavior following FCT. Implications for research and practice are discussed and suggestions for future research studies are presented.

Treatment of Elopement Without Blocking With a Child With Autism

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan A. Boyle ◽  
Ginny Keenan ◽  
Kara L. Forck ◽  
Kaitlin S. Curtis
Keyword(s):  
Differential Reinforcement ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Dangerous Behavior ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Withdrawal Design ◽  
Changing Criterion ◽  
Changing Criterion Design ◽  
Reinforcement Procedure

Elopement is a dangerous behavior common in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Relative to other forms of problematic behavior, elopement has received little attention in both assessment and treatment. The current study entailed a functional analysis of elopement of one child with ASD, results of which suggested a partially automatic function. We then evaluated a differential reinforcement procedure, along with a rule, which successfully decreased elopement without the use of blocking. A changing-criterion design embedded within a withdrawal design was used to gradually increase the criterion for maintaining a close proximity to a therapist prior to being allowed to run.

Effective behavioral intervention for adults on the autism spectrum: Best practices in functional assessment and treatment development.

2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Manente ◽  
James C. Maraventano ◽  
Robert H. LaRue ◽  
Lara Delmolino ◽  
Donna Sloan
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Behavioral Intervention ◽  
Functional Assessment ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Treatment Development ◽  
Assessment And Treatment

Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Related Disruptive Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorder

2020 ◽  
pp. 136-158
Author(s):  
Connor M. Kerns ◽  
Chandler Puhy ◽  
Chelsea M. Day ◽  
Steven J. Berkowitz
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Oppositional Defiant Disorder ◽  
Challenging Behaviors ◽  
Disruptive Behaviors ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Oppositional Defiant ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Defiant Behavior

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition characterizes oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) as reflecting pervasive patterns of irritable mood, defiant behavior, and/or vindictiveness. Youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit high rates of disruptive behaviors commonly associated with ODD, such as noncompliance, irritability, temper tantrums, and mood dysregulation. This chapter reviews the presentation of ODD in individuals with ASD, including current prevalence estimates, proposed etiology, validated assessment methods, and emerging best practices designed to treat challenging behaviors. Although there is a robust literature describing assessment and treatment procedures for disruptive behaviors in individuals with ASD, conceptualizing these hallmark behaviors within the framework of ODD is relatively novel and not without controversy. Discussion thus includes challenges around the applicability of the diagnostic criteria in this population and future research directions that may provide clarity on this issue.

Synthesis

2020 ◽  
pp. 421-428
Author(s):  
Lauren Brookman-Frazee ◽  
Amy Drahota ◽  
Colby Chlebowski ◽  
Yael Koenig ◽  
Katherine Nguyen Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Course Assessment ◽  
Academic Partnerships ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Important Field ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions

Recent research and clinical attention devoted to co-occurring psychiatric conditions within autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has led to significant advances in the understanding of and ability to assess and treat co-occurring problems effectively. This chapter summarizes those advances while also highlighting the substantial gaps that remain in the understanding of co-occurring problems in people with ASD. The chapter provides recommendations for future research directions in the areas of etiology, developmental course, assessment, and treatment. It also offers suggestions for improving the representativeness of research participants and strengthening community–academic partnerships in this important field of study.

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