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Twenty years of applied behavior analysis in treating the most severe problem behavior: Lessons learned
The Behavior Analyst
|April 6, 2012
Summary
This review identifies barriers and success factors in treating severe problem behavior over 20 years. It suggests new directions to overcome challenges and ensure long-term treatment success.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Clinical Psychology
- Human Services
Background:
- Severe problem behavior presents significant treatment challenges.
- Human services and educational systems often exhibit reactive characteristics.
- A 20-year review of treatment experiences highlights persistent issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify barriers to successful treatment of severe problem behavior.
- To discuss factors contributing to effective treatment programs.
- To propose programmatic directions for overcoming treatment barriers.
Main Methods:
- Review of author's 20-year clinical experiences.
- Identification and discussion of success barriers.
- Analysis of factors contributing to successful treatment programs.
Main Results:
- Identified barriers include system reactivity, expertise gaps, information deficits, programming issues, behavior characteristics, and maintenance challenges.
- Factors contributing to success were implicitly identified through the discussion of barriers.
- New programmatic directions are suggested to address identified barriers.
Conclusions:
- Overcoming treatment barriers requires addressing systemic, informational, and programmatic issues.
- Long-term success in treating severe problem behavior necessitates strategic planning and consideration of various factors.
- Continuous innovation in programmatic approaches is crucial for effective intervention.
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