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FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS AND TREATMENT OF THE DELUSIONAL STATEMENTS OF A MAN WITH MULTIPLE DISABILITIES: A FOUR‐YEAR FOLLOW‐UP
Author(s) -
Travis Robert,
Sturmey Peter
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of applied behavior analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1938-3703
pISSN - 0021-8855
DOI - 10.1901/jaba.2010.43-745
Subject(s) - psychology , extinction (optical mineralogy) , psychological intervention , intellectual disability , psychiatry , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , psychotherapist , paleontology , biology
Although delusional statements in people with intellectual disabilities and traumatic brain injury can be treated using behavioral interventions, none have demonstrated long‐term treatment effects. In the current study, a functional analysis demonstrated that delusional statements were maintained by attention. Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior and extinction of delusional statements resulted in near elimination of delusional statements and an increase in nondelusional statements. Follow‐up at 6 months, 1, 2, and 4 years indicated that treatment gains were maintained with continued staff training.