The effect of a residential-based behavioral treatment for an adolescent boy with a history of maltreatment and challenging behaviors.

Abstract

This article involves two studies implemented within a behavior support plan designed for a 12-year-old boy who had a history of severe abuse and neglect and was removed from his parents by the police and placed into the care of the state. One study examined the effect of a multi-element intervention consisting of a concurrent token economy and contingency contract with response cost. Challenging behavior was reduced to zero levels as measured by monthly frequency of incidents. Within this behavior support plan another study targeting personal hygiene was implemented, increasing compliance with daily personal hygiene tasks to 100%.