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Assessing Behavior

Natasha L. Hiden

Caldwell College

+Assessing Behavior

Guideline 3

Overview of the process Referral

Observation Prompts? Reinforcement? Baseline data Obligation to explain behavioral

assessment and conditions necessary for intervention to work (3.08) , and those that may prevent it from being properly implemented (3.01, 3.02)

+Assessing Behavior

Guideline 3

If controlling variables are determined through a functional assessment, he/she is obligated to explain the limiting conditions for treatment.

Explain what data means “Obligation to explain the baseline data,

functional assessment, reinforcement assessment, or other forms of behavioral data collection to the client” (3.09)

+Assessing Behavior (3.0)

“Behavior analysts who use behavioral assessment techniques do so for purposes that are appropriate in light of the research”

(A) “Behavior analysts’ assessments, recommendations, reports, and evaluative statements are based on information and techniques sufficient to provide appropriate substantiation for their findings”.

(B) Refrain from misuses of assessment techniques, interventions, results, and interpretations

(C) Recognize limits with which judgments or predictions can be made

(D) Do not promote use of techniques by unqualified persons

+Environmental Conditions that Preclude Implementation (3.01)

“If environmental conditions preclude implementation of a behavior analytic program, the behavior analyst recommends that other professional assistance (i.e. assessment, consultation, or therapeutic intervention by other professionals) be sought. Identify constraints and attempt to modify or eliminate

them prior to behavior plan Required stable environment, some control over reinforcers,

consistency in delivery of consequences.

+Functional Assessment (3.03)

(A) “The behavior analyst conducts a functional assessment, as defined below, to provide the necessary data to develop an effective behavior change program” Best Practice

(B) FA includes variety of systematic info regarding the occurrence of behavior. Informal descriptive analysis: Interviews and informal

observations Formal: Functional Assessment Case Example Cassandra P and Debbie

24yr-old women severely retarded pulling handfuls of hair Because the behavior is self-injurious, should Cassandra begin

an intervention?

+Accepting Clients (3.04)

“The behavior analyst accepts as clients only those individuals or entities( agencies, firms, etc.) whose behavior problems or requested service are commensurate with the behavior analyst’s education, training, and experience. In Lieu of these conditions, the behavior an analyst must function under the supervision of or in consultation with a behavior analyst whose credentials permit working with such behavior problems or services”

Acknowledge the limitations of expertise.

Example: In the field for 7 yrs never worked on a eating/feeding behaviors and your supervisor has no experience with this, should you develop a plan for this behavior, even if your supervisor asks you to?

+Consent-Client Records (3.05)

“The behavior analyst obtains the written consent of the client or client-surrogate before obtaining or disclosing client records from or to other sources.”

Case example: Dr. Stuart W. and Tom BACA working with Tom for 2 years Support apt living and community wk shop Rather stay home and sleep Dr. Stuart was wondering if Tom would benefit from

counseling He plans to invite his friend and colleague to lunch and tell

him about it What should he do first?

+Describing Program Objectives (3.06)

“The behavior analyst describes, preferably in writing, the objectives of the behavior change program to the client or client-surrogate before attempting to implement the program.”

Standard practice to specify in writing the objectives of all behavior programs.

Case example: Susan (women with DD) is spending all of her money on junk food and has no money for transportation and is begging for money. Angie (CBA) wants to instruct staff to immediately begin treating begging with social disapproval.

+Behavior Assessment Approval (3.07)

“The behavior analyst must obtain the client’s or client-surrogate’s approval in writing of the behavior assessment procedures before implementing them.”

Before any baseline or functional assessment procedures are begun, the behavior analyst much have approval of client or client’s representative.

Does this apply to baseline data collection?

Does anyone follow this protocol for baseline data collection?

+Describing Conditions For Program Success (3.08)

“The behavior analyst describes to the client or client-surrogate the environmental conditions that are necessary for the program to be effective.”

Describe program, series of contingency statements, controlling and maintaining variables.

Case example: Rosemary dresses inappropriately and wears excessive amounts of makeup. How would you handle the situation with Rosemary?

+Explaining Assessment Results (3.09) “Unless the nature of the relationship is clearly explained to

the person being assessed in advance and precludes provision of an explanation of results (such as in some organizational consulting, some screenings, and forensic evaluations), behavior analysts ensure that an explanation of the results is provided using language that is reasonably understandable to the person assessed or to another legally authorized person on behalf of the client. Regardless of whether the interpretation is done by the behavior analyst, by assistants, others, behavior analysts take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate explanations of results are given.”

Rosemary: FA revealed her behavior was a function of lack of stimulating materials in workshop, staff failed to provide reinforcement for on task or task completion and her dressing appeared to be maintained by her boyfriend who she met at a motel near workshop. How would you explain results to her?

+Reference

Bailey, J. S., & Burch, M. R. (2005). Ethics for behavior analysts: A practical guide to the behavior analyst certification board guidelines for responsible conduct. Mahway, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.