Exhibiting Behavior Problems Research Articles

Comparison of Mand Acquisition and Preference in Children with Autism who Exhibit Problem Behavior

Comparison of Mand Acquisition and Preference in Children with Autism who Exhibit Problem Behavior

Utilizing Reinforcement Contingencies to Enhance Behavioral Outcomes in Incarcerated Youth: Roles of Behavior Management and Staff Interactions in Reducing Readmission

Long-term placement could be stressful for youth, who may exhibit problem behaviors such as non-compliance in facilities. This study demonstrates that the consistent involvement of staff in modifying the youths’ behaviors, through a reward system featuring plus points and minus points as responses to particular behaviors, significantly influenced the likelihood of readmission. Furthermore, the research revealed that post-release contact with staff lowered the risk of readmission for non-student youths, highlighting the supportive staff-youth relationships in mitigating recidivism, particularly for the majority of youths detached from educational systems. These findings emphasize the importance of reinforcement and supportive interactions within youth corrections.

Investigation of Studies on Behavior Management in Special Education

Problem behaviors negatively affect the lives of special education students in different ways. Individuals with special needs may exhibit problem behaviors such as aggression, harming themselves or others, and excessive hyperactivity in general. It can be said that intervening, taking precautions, and changing these behaviors in a positive way before the emergence of problem behaviors are of critical importance in facilitating these children’s lives. In this sense, the examination of postgraduate theses in the field of behavior management in special education is important in terms of describing the innovations, developments, current trends, and, if any, incomplete situations in the field of behavior management. Within the scope of the research, it is aimed to examine the studies on behavior management in the field of special education in Turkey between the years 2016-2022 in terms of various variables (type of publication, publication year, publishing university, research method, subject, study group). Document analysis, one of the qualitative research methods, was preferred in this study. According to the research findings, it was concluded that most master studies were done as postgraduate publications, the most publications were made in 2019, the university that made the most publications was Eskişehir Anadolu University and the most used research method in the studies carried out was the quantitative research method. It has been revealed that it is important for other universities to design behavior management studies in special education.

Examining the Role of Student Responsiveness in Treatment Effects of a Tier 2 Program Targeting Reductions in Problem Behavior.

Student responsiveness's role in promoting intervention outcomes for students who exhibit problem behavior is understudied. Due to the relational nature of many interventions delivered by teachers that target social, emotional, or behavioral outcomes of students in classrooms, it is essential to assess how responsive students are to teachers' attempts to engage them in the intervention, particularly for students with problem behaviors that may impede teachers' attempts to engage these students in intervention effectively. In the current study, we combine samples from four randomized controlled trials to examine the relationship between student outcomes and teacher attempts to deliver BEST in CLASS, a Tier 2 intervention, via student responsiveness. Delivery of BEST in CLASS and student responsiveness were assessed through direct observations and teachers' reported measures. Results suggest that teacher adherence and competence in delivering BEST in CLASS practices was associated with reductions in problem behavior from pretest to post-test via student responsiveness. Limitations of the current study and implications for future research are discussed.

Study Protocol: Type 1 Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial of a Behavioral Parent Training Intervention for Parents of Young Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) and who use hearing aids or cochlear implants are more likely than their peers with typical hearing to exhibit behavior problems. Although multiple evidence-based interventions for child behavior problems exist, they are rarely delivered to children who are DHH, and no rigorous randomized controlled trials have been conducted to determine their effects with this population. This protocol describes a study aiming to test the effectiveness of an evidence-based behavioral parent training intervention adapted for parents of young children who are DHH and simultaneously to assess key implementation outcomes and multilevel contextual factors influencing implementation. The protocol for a Type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial of a behavioral parent training intervention for parents of young children who are DHH is presented, including details of the study design, participants, assessments, and analyses. Using a stakeholder-engaged, mixed-methods approach, we will test the effects of the intervention versus treatment as usual on parenting behaviors, child behaviors, and a range of secondary effectiveness outcomes, including adherence to using hearing aids and cochlear implants as well as measures of child speech and language. We will assess the acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and costs of the intervention from the perspectives of peer coaches who deliver the intervention, hearing health care clinicians (including audiologists and speech-language pathologists), and administrators of programs serving young children who are DHH. Results of this trial will inform future efforts to close the gap between prevalence of behavioral problems in young children who are DHH and access to and use of evidence-based interventions to prevent and treat them. If effective, this intervention could be widely implemented using strategies informed by the findings of this study to benefit young children who are DHH and followed in hearing health care and their families.

Saudi Special Educators’ Perceptions of Applied Behavior Analysis for Students with Autism

Students with disabilities, especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, are more likely to display problem behaviors in the classroom for a variety of reasons. Applied Behavior Analysis is one of the most effective practices for managing such behaviors. This study aims to examine special education teachers’ perspectives of behavior management strategies such as those of ABA in Saudi Arabia. Five special education teachers teaching students with autism in Saudi Arabia were interviewed to ascertain their perspectives on behavior management strategies and Applied Behavior Analysis practices. This qualitative study investigated the challenges they faced coping with students with autism exhibiting problem behaviors and their understanding of the most common strategies used for behavior management. Finally, the study discusses the understanding of one of the most effective evidence-based practices—Applied Behavior Analysis—and the insight it provides into in-service teacher support programs from the teachers’ perspectives. Implications and directions for future research are provided as well.

Longitudinal Study of Mild Delinquency and In‐School Problem Behaviors During Junior High School1

AbstractThis research investigates repetitive problem behavior (in‐school problems and mild delinquency) in Japanese junior high school students from their first to third year (12–15 years old) and examines the risk factors for repetitive problem behavior among parent–child relationships, school, individual, and lifestyle factors. An analysis of the longitudinal data of 470 students (Data Set 1) found that repeated problem behavior in school was affected by low self‐control, poor relationships with teachers, and lack of parental monitoring. Repeated mild delinquent behavior was affected by parental violence, poor relationships with mothers, less sleep duration, and not belonging to club activities. Some students exhibited both mild delinquency and in‐school problems. Students who experienced problem behavior 10 times or more in their second year had often experienced some problem behavior (1–9 times) in their first year. Analysis of the longitudinal data of 368 students (Data Set 2) showed that in many cases, students who exhibited repeated delinquent behavior in their second year continued to exhibit problem behavior after they became third‐year students. Though the number of students with repetitive mild delinquency that was totally remedied in their third year was small, a low incidence of parental violence was seen as an antecedent factor for students who did not commit mild delinquency in their third year in spite of a high frequency of delinquency in their second year.

Telehealth-enabled behavioral treatment for problem behaviors in boys with fragile X syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundChildren with fragile X syndrome (FXS) are at increased risk for exhibiting problem behaviors such as aggression and self-injury. However, many children with FXS have limited access to behavioral treatments that have known efficacy due to the low availability of treatment providers and the wide geographical dispersion of families with FXS across the country. Telehealth may offer a cost-effective and practical solution to overcome these significant barriers. We examined the effect of administering an established behavior analytic intervention called functional communication training (FCT) via telehealth on levels of problem behaviors exhibited by boys with FXS. We also examined treatment acceptability, as well as the effect of the treatment on levels of parenting stress.MethodsBoys with FXS, aged 3 to 10 years, who displayed problem behaviors daily, were randomized to receive FCT via telehealth (n = 30) or treatment as usual (n = 27) over 12 weeks. Outcome measures included in-session observations of problem behavior, the Aberrant Behavior Checklist—Community (ABC-C), the Treatment Acceptability Rating Form—Revised (TARF-R), and the Parenting Stress Index, 4th edition (PSI-4).ResultsIntention-to-treat analyses indicated that scores on the irritability subscale of the ABC-C, our primary outcome measure, decreased significantly for boys who received FCT via telehealth compared to boys who received treatment as usual (p < .001, Cohen’s d = 0.65). In-session observations conducted for those who received treatment showed that levels of problem behavior decreased by 91% from baseline. Levels of parenting stress related to child behavioral problems were also lower following FCT treatment, and caregivers reported that the intervention was acceptable.ConclusionsThese findings support telehealth-enabled FCT as a framework for expanding access to behavioral treatments for problem behaviors in children with FXS. Expanded delivery of behavior analytic treatment via telehealth also has the potential to lower healthcare costs, improve child and family quality of life, and lead to advances in the treatment of problem behavior in the broader population of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03510156. Registered 27 April 2018

Topographies and functions of emerging problem behavior and appropriate requests in neurotypical preschoolers.

The current study builds on a small but growing body of research evaluating the formal and functional characteristics of emerging problem behavior before it becomes harmful and requires costly treatment. The researchers tested 21 preschool children's sensitivity to establishing operations that commonly precede severe problem behavior. Sensitivity tests were embedded in a small group play context to optimize safety, efficiency, and ecological validity. The tests screened several levels of problem-behavior severity as well as the presence of adaptive alternatives (i.e., communication) to problem behavior. Overall, outcomes suggested sources of reinforcement for minor- and moderate-severity problem behavior in 86% of children. Only 17% of children exhibiting problem behavior also engaged in appropriate requests in the same condition(s) as problem behavior. The present data are compared to published functional analyses of severe behavior. The results are discussed as a preliminary step towards a function-based model of risk identification and behavioral prevention of severe problem behavior.

Prevalence of renewal of problem behavior: Replication and extension to an inpatient setting.

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who exhibit problem behavior often receive behavioral assessment and treatment in specialized inpatient and outpatient clinics. However, problem behavior sometimes reemerges as a function of changes in contexts and stimulus conditions, such as returning to the home environment. This reemergence is called renewal. Recently, Muething et al. (2020) found that renewal occurred in over half (67%) of cases from an outpatient clinic. Their sample was obtained exclusively from an outpatient setting and despite the applied relevance of renewal, its clinical prevalence in other populations is unknown. Accordingly, we replicated Muething et al.'s procedures and analyzed renewal in 37 inpatient treatment applications across 34 cases via consecutive-controlled case series. Renewal was present in 59% of cases; however, we found that renewal occurred in only 24% of context changes compared to 42% reported by Muething et al. Various factors related to the prevalence of renewal were evaluated.

Effects of Self-Monitoring of Antecedents and Consequences on the Mother of an Adolescent Child Exhibiting Behavior Problems

Behavioral consultation using an antecedent-behavior-consequence (A-B-C) narrative recording chart was implemented in this study with the mother of an adolescent child to examine whether improving the accuracy of the mother’s monitoring of antecedents and consequences would lead to decreases in problem behaviors in parent–child interactions. A single-case A-B design with follow-up was applied. At the baseline, the mother recorded parent–child interactions after learning how to complete the chart. In the intervention, we provided positive corrective feedback on maternal performance. Following the intervention, problem behaviors decreased with improved monitoring accuracy. The results suggest conditions under which self-monitoring procedures function effectively.

A Methodological Review of Research Syntheses Involving Reading Interventions for Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

Students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) exhibit problem behaviors that potentially result in lower performance in reading and related content areas. Researchers and policy makers have increasingly emphasized the need for evidence-based practices (EBPs) in reading. However, conclusions made regarding the effectiveness of the interventions strongly depend on the rigor of systematic reviews and meta-analyses used to identify intervention research. This article applied a set of established quality indicators to literature reviews of reading instruction for children with EBD. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in refereed journals between 1996 and 2018 were eligible for inclusion. Identified reviews ( n = 17) generally exhibited a range of methodological strengths; however, authors did not consistently describe coding procedures or assess the quality of primary studies. Implications for the identification of EBP follow a discussion of findings.

Teacher-child interaction quality moderates social risks associated with problem behavior in preschool classroom contexts

Guided by an ecological model, the study examined the extent to which domains of teacher-child interaction quality moderated associations between early problem behavior within preschool classroom contexts and social competence. A series of multilevel models were estimated using data from a sample of ethnically and linguistically diverse children from low-income backgrounds (N = 937, children across 53 classrooms). Findings from multilevel models supported direct associations between problem behavior within classroom structured learning, teacher, and peer contexts, and social competence outcomes. Higher classroom organization was directly associated with reductions in disruptive peer play in the classroom at the end of the year. However, cross-level interactions indicated that both higher organizational and instructional support were beneficial in buffering the risks to social competence for children entering preschool exhibiting problem behavior within the peer context. Implications for future research, policy, and practice are discussed.

Teaching Partial-Interval Recording of Problem Behavior with Virtual Reality

Virtual reality (VR) places individuals within a simulated experience using an array of visual, auditory, and tactile interfaces. Research suggests VR, which facilitates the rehearsal of actual job duties and performance assessment during training, may improve professional development across a range of disciplines. Although studies incorporating technology into professional development for educators are increasingly common, few have examined the potential for VR as a training tool. Direct observation represents a fundamental skill for professionals involved in behavior change. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of an automated simulation in teaching graduate and undergraduate students (N = 31) to collect partial-interval recording data pertaining to inappropriate behavior. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control condition or intervention condition consisting of a brief simulated observation of a student exhibiting problem behavior. Results suggest participants who used VR were more confident in their ability to collect data; however, evidence for improved outcomes related to data collection was not identified. These mixed findings provide tentative support for further research in this area.

A longitudinal examination of interactions between autism symptom severity and parenting behaviors in predicting change in child behavior problems

BackgroundChildren with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit behavior problems, with more severe ASD symptomatology relating to more severe behavior problems. Behavior problems are correlated with parenting behaviors; however, less research has investigated the relations among specific parenting behaviors and change in child behavior problems, particularly among children with ASD. MethodThis study examined the interactions among Time 1 ASD symptom severity and parenting behaviors (positive and negative) when predicting Time 2 child internalizing and externalizing behaviors (analyzed separately), when accounting for Time 1 child behavior, caregiver distress, caregiver sex, and child age. The sample included 129 caregivers of a child with ASD (ages 4–10 years) who completed two online questionnaires one year apart, which included measures assessing ASD symptom severity, child behavior problems, parenting behaviors, and caregiver distress. ResultsAcross two hierarchical multiple regression analyses, Time 1 child behavior, caregiver distress, caregiver sex, and negative parenting predicted unique variance in Time 2 child externalizing and internalizing behaviors. The interactions between ASD symptom severity and negative parenting predicting externalizing behaviors and ASD symptom severity and negative parenting predicting internalizing behaviors were significant. ConclusionsExamination of plots of the significant interactions suggested higher levels of negative parenting may exacerbate later behavioral problems and lower levels of negative parenting may protect against later behavioral problems for children with less severe ASD symptoms but not for those with more severe ASD symptoms. Results have implications for interventions targeting parenting practices for children with ASD.

Organized Chaos: Daily Routines Link Household Chaos and Child Behavior Problems

The aim of this study was to examine daily routines as a potential mediator of the relation between household chaos and both child externalizing behavior and bedtime resistant behavior. Studies show that children living in chaotic households exhibit more externalizing behaviors, which when exhibited as early as the toddler and preschool years, are a risk factor for later maladjustment. Understanding the mechanisms linking household chaos to early externalizing behaviors is important since those mechanisms could be targeted as a point of intervention. Using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (Mturk), parents (n = 120) of a child age 2–5 completed questionnaires online assessing household chaos, frequency of routines, and child behavior problems. There was a significant indirect effect of household chaos to child behavior problems through family routines (B = 0.09, SE = 0.05, CI [0.01, 0.23]) and general child routines (B = 0.15, SE = 0.06, CI [0.05, 0.31]) (independently) and an indirect effect of household chaos to bedtime resistant behavior through children’s bedtime routines (B = 0.12, SE = 0.06, CI [0.03, 0.26]). These findings suggest that household chaos and routines are distinctive constructs and that routines are a mechanism linking household chaos to early child behavior problems. Clinically, these results imply that routines may be a reasonable focus for intervention among families living in chaotic households who have young children exhibiting behavior problems.

Evaluation of an indirect assessment for identifying tasks for functional analysis.

Although a demand analysis is helpful for identifying potential establishing operations for the functional analysis (FA) demand condition, it may not always be practical due to time constraints. A potential alternative is the Negative Reinforcement Rating Scale (NRRS), an indirect assessment tool that may serve as a time efficient alternative to a demand analysis. The experimenter assessed the reliability and validity of the NRRS for 5 individuals with autism spectrum disorder who exhibited problem behavior. Multiple types of interrater reliability were assessed across 2 informants, and NRRS outcomes were compared to a subsequent demand analysis and FA to assess its validity. Reliability was high (M = 84%) for NRRS numerical ratings of categories but low (M = 32.9%) for specific examples provided. NRRS-identified highly aversive tasks yielded better correspondence with demand analysis outcomes than did NRRS-identified less aversive tasks.

Penerapan Intervensi Self-Management untuk Meningkatkan Perilaku on-Task pada Anak Usia Sekolah dengan Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Inattentive Type

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often exhibit problem behavior and struggle in the classroom both academically and behaviorally. To be successful in school, children are required to have the ability to engage in tasks during learning activities (on-task behavior). One of the intervention known as an effective strategy to increase on-task behavior of school-age children diagnosed with ADHD is a behaviorally-based self-management technique. This study was designed for a fifth grade student aged 11 years old with ADHD predominantly inattentive type. The study took place in an inclusive school at Bojong Gede. Using a single case AB design, four self-management strategy were implemented to increase the on-task behavior. Each baseline and follow-up data was collected over four days, while the intervention it self was implemented over 16 days. The result indicated that the self-management technique appeared to be effective in increasing on-task behavior of participant (from 38% to 90,5%).&#x0D; Keywords: ADHD, on-task; academic engagement, self-management; student

Telehealth Delivery of Function-Based Behavioral Treatment for Problem Behaviors Exhibited by Boys with Fragile X Syndrome.

Telehealth is increasingly being employed to extend the reach of behavior analytic interventions to families of children with developmental disorders who exhibit problem behaviors. In this preliminary study, we examined whether function-based behavior analytic interventions could be delivered via telehealth over 12 weeks to decrease problem behaviors exhibited by ten boys with fragile X syndrome (FXS), aged 3- to 10-years. Results showed that for eight children who completed treatment, rates of problem behavior decreased from baseline by 78.8-95.3%. Parent procedural integrity and acceptability ratings remained high throughout the treatment. These data indicate that implementing function-based behavioral treatment via telehealth can be a feasible, acceptable and potentially cost-effective approach for decreasing problem behaviors exhibited by boys with FXS.

How do individual predispositions and family dynamics contribute to academic adjustment through the middle school years? The mediating role of friends' characteristics.

This study examined the mediating effect of friends' characteristics (problem behavior and academic achievement) in the association between students' background (family and individual factors) and later academic adjustment, as operationalized by problem behavior and academic achievement. We recruited 998 participants in three public middle schools and used three annual waves of data collection (Grades 6, 7, and 8). We found that students' own academic achievement and problem behavior are predictors of later adjustment. Friendship choices are identified as a mediation mechanism that contributes to consistent adjustment from the beginning to the end of middle school. Specifically, high-achieving students in Grade 6 tend to associate with high-achieving friends and are unlikely to associate with friends who exhibit problem behavior in Grade 7, which results in continued achievement in Grade 8. Associating with high-achieving friends in Grade 7 also mediated the link between adolescent problem behavior in Grade 6 and academic achievement by Grade 8. Friends' characteristics in Grade 7 did not mediate the effect of any family factor measured in Grade 6. In general, our results suggest friendship selection is central to sustained success throughout the middle school years.