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PROGRESSING FROM IDENTIFICATION AND FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF PRECURSOR BEHAVIOR TO TREATMENT OF SELF‐INJURIOUS BEHAVIOR
Author(s) -
Dracobly Joseph D.,
Smith Richard G.
Publication year - 2012
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.2012.45-361
Subject(s) - functional analysis , psychology , behavioral analysis , applied behavior analysis , developmental psychology , chemistry , biochemistry , autism , gene
This multiple‐study experiment evaluated the utility of assessing and treating severe self‐injurious behavior (SIB) based on the outcomes of a functional analysis of precursor behavior. In Study 1, a precursor to SIB was identified using descriptive assessment and conditional probability analyses. In Study 2, a functional analysis of precursor behavior was conducted. Finally, Study 3 evaluated the effects of a treatment in which precursor behavior produced the maintaining variable identified in the precursor functional analysis. Studies 1 and 3 were conducted in two settings in the participant's natural environment, where data collection was ongoing throughout the course of the study. Results showed that it was possible to identify a precursor to infrequent but severe SIB, that a functional analysis of precursor behavior suggested a clear operant function, and that treatment based on the results of the precursor functional analysis reduced SIB in the natural environment.