This study investigated outcomes of a parent training curriculum: Helping Our Toddlers Developing Our Children's Skills (HOT DOCS), using secondary analyses of existing data collected between May 2007 and March 2009. The evaluation studied the impact of specific components of the parent training program on both participants' knowledge and attitudes and their perceptions of target children's behavior. Caregivers (n = 334) of children between the ages of 18 months and 5.11 years of age who were participants in the parent training program were included in the study. Measures included a pre/post knowledge test, pre/post rating scales of child problem behavior, and a program evaluation survey. Results indicated significant increases in caregiver knowledge following participation in the program, but non-significant differences between groups of participants based on various demographic variables. Prior to participation in the program, caregivers' perceptions of the severity of child problem behaviors were significantly different from that of the normative population. Following participation in the program, results showed a significant decrease in caregiver perceptions of the severity of child problem behaviors, regardless of caregiver/target child demographic variables. Caregiver feedback indicated high levels of satisfaction with the program.

ABSTRACT TECHNICAL AND APPLIED FEATURES OF FUNCTIONAL BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENTS AND BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION PLANS by Shannon M. Hawkins When conducted correctly, functional behavior assessments (FBAs) can help professionals intervene with problem behavior using function-based interventions. Despite the fact that researchers have shown that effective interventions are based on function, recent investigators have found that most behavioral intervention plans (BIPs) are written without regard to the function of students’ problem behaviors as documented in their FBAs. This study was conducted to examine the overall technical adequacy of FBAs and BIPs within one educational system to evaluate reliance on the outcomes of FBAs in the development of BIPs. The technical and applied features of a randomly selected sample of 134 FBA/BIPs of students with disabilities, ages 3-21 years, who were receiving services due to their severe emotional and behavioral disorders (SEBD) or autism spectrum disorders (ASD) within the Georgia Network of Educational and Therapeutic Services (GNETS) were analyzed. In addition, similarities and differences between function-based strategies specified in BIPs were examined. Logistic regression was used to reveal the probability that a given behavioral function can predict which intervention(s) might be chosen. A series of chi-square tests of independence and a multinomial logistic regression model were used to examine how BIP component variables, demographic variables, behavioral function variables, and behavioral intervention variables related to each other statistically. Components described as critical in research literature for conducting FBAs and developing BIPs were absent from a significant number of the student files. Results suggest few of the prescribed interventions were likely to be related to function. The findings extend research on FBAs and BIPs, particularly as they are used with students with SEBD and autism, documenting that a significant number of BIPs are developed without regard of the function of the problem behavior.

This study evaluated the use of the Prevent-Teach-Reinforce (PTR) model with two four-year-old children in a community preschool classroom. A multiple baseline design across activities was used to assess the teacher implementation of the behavior intervention strategies developed during the PTR team process and the changes in child problem behavior and engagement. Additional measures associated with the outcomes, such as researcher procedural integrity and social validity were assessed. The results suggest that the team of teachers were able to implement the PTR intervention with fidelity, which resulted in a decrease in the children’s problem behavior and an increase in their engagement. The PTR process was deemed feasible and acceptable by the teaching staff, and that the child behavioral outcomes were evaluated as acceptable by naïve observers.

Functional Analysis is a widely used and effective tool for the assessment of challenging behavior. However, there are several practical issues associated with analogue functional analysis, including the reinforcement of challenging behavior and the extended duration of the assessment process. These issues have been addressed in several modified functional analysis models, including the brief functional analysis. The brief functional analysis allows practitioners and researchers to complete an assessment of challenging behavior within a 90-minute period, thus addressing the practical issue of extended duration. It does not, however, address the potential issues associated with the reinforcement of challenging behavior. The current study evaluated the efficacy of three modified functional analysis methods, including a brief antecedent-based analysis (A-B), a brief latency-based analysis, and a brief functional analysis (A-B-C). Results from each assessment were compared and high levels of correspondence was observed between the respective assessment models. Results are discusses in terms of the relative strengths and limitations of each of the models. / text

The purpose of this dissertation was to compare two methods of assessing challenging behavior in young children in the home setting and to determine if the two methods could result in the same outcome. Results indicated that there was full correspondence between the two assessment methods for three out of five participants, and among 19 comparisons, 16 agreements were made (84%). Future research should validate latency functional analysis via treatment evaluation with this population. / text

This study was designed to evaluate a parent training curriculum: Helping Our Toddlers Developing Our Children's Skills (HOT DOCS© ) using archival data collected between August 2006 and April 2007. The evaluation studied the impact of specific components of the parent training program on both participants' knowledge and attitudes and their perceptions of targeted children's behavior. One-hundred-forty-six caregivers of children between the ages of 14 months and ten years of age participated in the parent training program and were included in the analyses. Measures included a pre/post knowledge test, rating scales of child problem behavior, weekly progress monitoring forms for caregiver behavior at home, and a program evaluation survey. Results indicated significant increases in caregiver knowledge following participation in the program. Prior to participation, caregivers' perceptions of the severity of child problem behaviors and deficits in adaptive behaviors were significantly different from a normative sample. Following participation in the program, results showed significant decreases in caregiver perceptions of the severity of child problem behaviors, but no significant differences in child adaptive behaviors. Caregiver feedback indicated high levels of satisfaction with the program.

This study examined the efficacy of the Decision Model (Umbreit, Ferro, Liaupsin, & Lane, 2007) for the development of function-based interventions for young children receiving special education services in inclusive preschool settings. Findings suggested interventions using the Decision Model were effective at decreasing the disruptive behavior of 3 young boys within inclusive early childhood classrooms. On-task behavior increased for each child following intervention implementation. Largest increases were noted with a 4.9 year-old with Autism and a 4 year-old with Down Syndrome. Data also suggested that the level of on-task behavior coincided with levels of intervention implementation. On-task behavior of a 3.9 year-old with language delay, demonstrated substantial increases when the intervention was implemented properly, but not when intervention elements were left out. Implications for future research were discussed.

This diploma thesis is concerned with the subject of inaccessible social services for people suffering from autism spectrum disorders (hereinafter ASD) and associated challenging behavior. Emphasis is placed on the social care and services in terms of settings of the social system in the Czech Republic. The theoretical part of the thesis aims on bringing a comprehensive view of the current availability of social services for people with ASD and associated challenging behavior. Especially the definition of basic concepts along with introduction of individual actors throughout the system and a description of the current situation in the Czech Republic and in the world. The description of possible causes of the unavailability of social services for persons with ASD and associated challenging behavior is at the core of the empirical part. Data gathering and analysis are based on methods of Grounded theory. The semi-structured interviews with representatives of regions and with the social service providers are used as data sources. Conclusions of the thesis include, in particular, extreme cost and long-term staff shortages, weak legislative support, and fragmented network services planning at the county level. These are the roots of the social services unavailability. These should be resolved during the...

This article explores how teachers can foster an environment that facilitates social problem solving when toddlers experience conflict, emotional dysregulation, and aggression. This article examines differences in child development and self-regulation outcomes when teachers engage in problem solving for toddlers and problem solving with toddlers. It also reviews teacher practices aimed at preventing problems. The article suggests a paradigm shift from perceiving social challenges as toddler problems to viewing such situations as problem solving opportunities. The article concludes by applying these principles to an actual classroom dispute among toddlers.

Det finns lite forskning kring personalens upplevelse av att använda metoden lågaffektivt bemötande där personalens uppfattning och beteende spelar en central roll i användandet av denna metod. Metoden används främst i arbetet för att bemöta problemskapande beteende varav personer med neuropsykiatriska funktionsnedsättningar är de som löper större risk för uppvisande av denna typ av beteende. Syftet med vår studie är att undersöka personalens upplevelse av att använda metoden lågaffektivt bemötande i arbetet med personer med neuropsykiatriska funktionsnedsättningar. Semistrukturerade intervjuer har utförts med sju informanter som använder lågaffektivt bemötande och arbetar i boende- och skolverksamheter som riktar sig till personer med neuropsykiatriska funktionsnedsättningar. Resultatet visar att personliga egenskaper är en central del i att kunna använda lågaffektivt bemötande. Detta är intressant då vi även funnit ett behov av att träna sig i metoden och få mer tid för reflektion för att bli bättre i att använda metoden. Reflektionen i sig har också stor betydelse för personalen ur ett terapeutiskt syfte där kollegor sinsemellan stödjer varandra efter uppkomna situationer samt ger feedback. Resultatet visar även att det förekommer otydligheter angående om det finns krav från högre chefer att använda lågaffektivt bemötande i verksamheterna, men som inte ansågs påverka den trygghet personalen upplevde i att använda metoden. Vi fann också relationen mellan personal och brukare som en viktig del i användandet av metoden. Nyckelord: Dramaturgiskt perspektiv, emotionsteorin, lågaffektivt bemötande, metod, neuropsykiatrisk funktionsnedsättning, personal, personliga egenskaper, personalstöd, problemskapande beteende, socialt arbete, verksamhetskrav / There is little research on the staff's experience of using the low arousal approach, of which the staff's perception and behavior play a central role in the use of this method. The method is mainly used in the work to deal with challenging behavior of which persons with neuropsychiatric disabilities are those who are at greater risk of exhibiting this type of behavior.The purpose of our study is to investigate the staff's experience of using the method of low arousal approach in the work with people with neuropsychiatric disabilities. Semi-structured interviews have been conducted with seven informants who use low arousal approach and work in housing and school activities aimed at people with neuropsychiatric disabilities.The result shows that personal qualities are a central part of being able to use low arousal approach. This is interesting as we also found a need to train in using the method and get more time for reflection to become better at the method. The reflection in itself also has great significance for the staff from a therapeutic purpose where colleagues support each other after emerging situations and provide feedback. The results also show that there are uncertainties as to whether there are requirements from senior managers to use low arousal approach in the operations, but which were not considered to affect the confidence the staff experienced in using the method. We also found the relationship between the staff and the client as an important part in practicing the method. Keywords: Business requirements, dramaturgical perspective, challenging behavior, emotion theory, low arousal approach, method, neuropsychiatric disability, personal qualities, social work, staff, staff support