Clinical Behavior Analysis For Children

This book is a guide for child psychotherapists interested in applying clinical behavioral analysis to their work and for clinical behavior analysts working with children. In the literature of behavior analysis, a considerable number of publications present clinical strategies to more effectively conduct therapeutic interventions with adults and adolescents, but there is still a lack of publications that address practical aspects of the work of the child behavior analytic therapist. This volume aims do fill this void by bringing together chapters written by therapists who share their views on theoretical and practical aspects of child care and describe the stages and challenges of the psychotherapy process with clients of up to 12 years of age. Chapters in this volume provide an overview of the specific knowledge and techniques clinical behavior analysts need to master to work with children, such as theories of child development from the perspective of behavior analysis; biological influences on the development of child behavior; clinical assessment and definition of therapeutic goals in the work with children; how to include functional play in clinical settings; and how to involve parents and the school in the therapeutic process. Additionally, specific chapters focus on the application of third wave behavioral therapies, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Functional Analytic Psychotherapy, to the clinical work with children. Clinical Behavior Analysis for Children will be a valuable resource for psychotherapists and clinical psychology students looking for a guide to understand the specificities of clinical behavior analysis applied to child psychotherapy.

As noted by its title, the focus of this book is centered on an examination of behavior therapy with children in clinical settings. Throughout, our goal has been to examine theoretical underpinnings, review empirical research, and illustrate clinical utility for a variety of behavioral proce dures with children. In pursuing this goal, we have described child behavior therapy as an approach based on empirical methodology, de rived from behavioral principles, and focused upon adjustment disor ders of children. The hallmark of such an approach is its accountability the extent to which the procedures and techniques presented in this text are demonstrably accountable must be determined at least partially by the reader. As students of child behavior, we have become sensitized to two trends in behavior therapy with children during the preparation of this book. First, we have been concerned with the simple application of behavioral procedures to children, irrespective of developmental con siderations. All too frequently, assessment strategies and treatment pro cedures found to be useful with adults have been applied to children in an indiscriminate fashion. For example, some recent studies have examined and assessed the very same social skill deficits in children as in adults (e. g. , lack of eye contact, delayed latency of response, and absence of positive commendatory responses). Surely, skill deficits differ from age to age just as they differ from situation to situation.

Autism was once thought of as a rare condition, until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network released the statistic that about 1 in every 150 eight-year-old children in various areas across the United States is afflicted by an autism spectrum disorder, or ASD. This news led to a dramatic expansion of research into autism spectrum disorders and to the emergence of applied behavior analysis (ABA) as the preferred method of treatment, even among prescribing practitioners. Applied Behavioral Analysis for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders ably synthesizes research data and trends with best-practice interventions into a comprehensive, state-of-the-art resource. Within its chapters, leading experts review current ABA literature in depth; identify interventions most relevant to children across the autism spectrum; and discuss potential developments in these core areas: Assessment methods, from functional assessment to single case research designs. Treatment methods, including reinforcement, replacement behaviors, and other effective strategies. The role of the differential diagnosis in ABA treatment planning. Specific deficit areas: communication, social skills, stereotypies/rituals. Target behaviors, such as self-injury, aggression, adaptive and self-help problems. ASD-related training concerns, including maintenance and transition issues, and parent training programs. This volume is a vital resource for researchers, graduate students, and professionals in clinical child and school psychology as well as the related fields of education and mental health.

This comprehensive volume shows how to use both diagnostic and behavioral assessment knowledgeably and effectively throughout the process of treatment. The two traditions have developed along separate paths--each with its own conceptual underpinnings and psychometric strengths. Used together, they can produce a complete picture of a child's or adolescent's needs and strengths. The expert editors and contributors describe the full range of evidence-based assessment tools and illustrate their application with two intake-to-termination case examples, both based on DSM-5. Reproducible tools include a behavioral recording form and a multipage case conceptualization worksheet that can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

Applied behavior analysts use applied research to create and implement effective evidence-based procedures in schools, homes, and the community, which have proved effective in addressing behaviors associated with autism and other developmental disorders. The principles underlying this therapeutic approach have been increasingly effective when applied to other populations, settings, and behaviors. Clinical and Organizational Applications of Applied Behavior Analysis explores data-based decision-making in depth to inform treatment selection for behavior change across various populations and contexts. Each chapter addresses considerations related to data collection, single-case research design methodology, objective decision-making, and visual inspection of data. The authors reference a range of published research methods in the area of applied behavior analysis (ABA) as it has been applied to specific topics, as well as utilizing their own clinical work by providing numerous case examples. Reviews current evidence-based practices to provide a comprehensive guide to the application of ABA principles across a range of clinical contexts and applications Divides clinical applications into three sections for ease-of-use: child, adult, and broad-based health Explores the breadth of ABA-based treatment beyond autism and developmental disorders Draws upon a range of subject-matter experts who have clinical and research experience across multiple uses of ABA

This timely volume explores the multiple domains where Behavior Analysts can provide meaningful assessment and interventions. Selecting clinical areas in which behavior analysts already are active, chapters will describe unique features of the setting as well as the skills and competencies needed to practice in these areas. While providers of behavior analytic services have substantially increased in number, the field of behavior analysis itself has narrowed. Reimbursement policies and name recognition as a treatment specific to autism have raised concerns that other areas where it is helpful, such as behavioral gerontology or integrated behavioral health, will be de-emphasized. This volume aims to promote workforce development and support broad behavior analytic training, considering the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s 5th edition task list (effective in 2020).

Behavior analysis, a rapidly growing profession, began with the use and application of conditioning and learning techniques to modify the behavior of children or adults presenting severe management problems, often because of developmental disabilities. Now behavior analysts work in a variety of settings, from clinics and schools to workplaces. Especially since their practice often involves aversive stimuli or punishment, they confront many special ethical challenges. Recently, the Behavior Analysis Certification Board codified a set of ten fundamental ethical guidelines to be followed by all behavior analysts and understood by all students and trainees seeking certification. This book shows readers how to follow the BACB guidelines in action. The authors first describe core ethical principles and then explain each guideline in detail, in easily comprehensible, everyday language. The text is richly illuminated by more than a hundred vivid case scenarios about which the authors pose, and later answer questions for readers. Useful appendices include the BACB Guidelines, an index to them, practice scenarios, and suggested further reading. Practitioners, instructors, supervisors, students, and trainees alike will welcome this invaluable new aid to professional development.