Over on CNN Linda Saether is a story about Rick Schroeder of Autism Partnership applying behavior analytic teaching principles to help Marissa Bilson and her family manage behavior problems. Marissa—an early adolescent who has Autism—screams while jumping up and down, bites herself, takes things that do not belong to her, and behaves ritualistically.
Although Ms. Saether does not report on the research basis for it and actually undercuts it’s effectiveness (ABA is “one kind of approach,” “there are a variety of programs out there,” etc.), the story illustrates the value of the clear rules that are consistently implemented. I’ll be using this one in class.
Here’s the link. Learn more about Autism Partnership. Note that Harold Doherty of Facing Autism in New Brunswick has covered this story, too.
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Hi John,
See below on something on the same theme from a poster session at the upcoming ABA-International Conference, May 22-26 in Phoenix, AZ. I thought that it might be of interest.
There was some skepticism about when the CNN program came out as to whether an intensive, focussed, yet short duration intervention such as the Autism Partnership RES-Q program or similar really could make a difference, esp. since there is a perception that programs applying Applied Behavior Analysis need to be a long-term commitment of many hour/week programming to result in significant or lasting change. For an entire intervention and educational program, that seems to be the case, but the CNN program, and the poster below also seem to indicate that short-duration interventions including a parent-training component for disruptive behavior can be effective and result in improved situations for student/child and family,
“#487 Poster Session
5/25/2009
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
North Hall A
AUT
1. Does Nanny 911 Really Work? The Efficacy of a Short-term Intervention on Long-term Outcomes for Behavior Problems in Children with Autism. (N/A; Applied Behavior Analysis) EVELYN M. FLAHERTY (Eden II Programs), Frank R. Cicero (Eden
II Programs)
Abstract: Popular television series such as Nanny 911 and Supernanny that deal with unruly children and their parents have portrayed that intense short-term behavioral interventions improve children’s disruptive behavior. Although much is known about the efficacy of parent training in methods of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) to reduce children’s behavior problems, less is known about the effectiveness of these short-term interventions in the home for parents of children with autism. The following study examines the effectiveness of an in-home, short-term parent-training model in treating behavior problems in children with an autism spectrum disorder. Participants were parents and their children ages 6-18 who displayed one or more disruptive behaviors such as aggression, noncompliance, or tantrums. A 7-10 session ABA parent-training model was employed and consisted of behavioral recommendations and procedures, therapist modeling, and parental practice with the techniques. Results showed that disruptive behaviors were significantly reduced from baseline levels after just 2 sessions of intervention. Further improvements in behavior were noted after the full course of treatment and at follow-up.”