Chapter 8 of 911% of exam

Selecting and Implementing Interventions

Domain H is about decisions: writing goals, choosing an intervention that fits the assessment and the setting, planning for side effects and relapse, and using data to decide what to do next.

Goals and replacement behavior

Goals must be observable and measurable, and a behavior targeted for reduction needs a socially valid replacement that serves the same function. Goals are selected with the client and stakeholders. A replacement that is harder than the problem behavior is unlikely to compete with it.

Measurable goals

State the behavior, the conditions and a criterion.

BACB BCBA Test Content Outline (6th ed.) H.1

Response efficiency

A replacement competes with problem behavior when it is at least as easy, fast and richly reinforced.

Horner & Day, JABA 24 (1991)

Social validity

Consumers judge the significance of goals, the acceptability of procedures and the importance of effects.

Wolf, JABA 11 (1978)

Choosing interventions

The outline lists assessment results, scientific evidence, client preferences and contextual fit. The Ethics Code adds a priority on positive reinforcement procedures. A plan that caregivers or staff cannot carry out will not be delivered as designed.

Selection criteria

Assessment results, evidence, client preferences and contextual fit such as implementer expertise and resources.

BACB BCBA Test Content Outline (6th ed.) H.2

Positive reinforcement first

Interventions prioritize positive reinforcement and fit the client's needs, context and resources.

BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, Code 2.14

Collaboration

Work with other professionals in the client's interest, compromising where possible.

BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, Code 2.10

Unwanted effects and relapse

Plans should anticipate extinction bursts, satiation, and the return of problem behavior when reinforcement for the replacement is disrupted. Caregiver training helps maintain the replacement behavior after services end. Plans should state in advance how these effects will be monitored.

Warn about bursts

Caregivers should know behavior may temporarily worsen under extinction.

Lerman, Iwata & Wallace, JABA 32 (1999)

Satiation

Vary reinforcers and use small amounts to keep them effective.

Laraway et al., JABA 36 (2003)

Resurgence

Previously extinguished behavior can return when reinforcement for the alternative is reduced or stops.

Volkert et al., JABA 42 (2009)

Data-based decisions

Before judging an intervention, check that it was delivered as designed. Then use the data to continue, modify or end it. Decisions are documented and explained to the client and stakeholders.

Integrity before effectiveness

Low procedural integrity must be ruled out before concluding that a procedure does not work.

BACB BCBA Test Content Outline (6th ed.) H.6

Act on the data

Use graphed data to decide whether to continue, modify or terminate services, and take corrective action when goals are not being met.

BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, Codes 2.17-2.18

Other services affecting the plan

When services delivered by another professional appear to be undermining the intervention, review and address it with that professional.

BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, Code 2.18

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