Reduction in Restraints Following a Functional Analysis of Severe Problem Behavior and Communication Training
Journal article, Peer reviewed
Accepted version
Date
2018-07-23Metadata
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Original version
Petursson, Eldevik SE. Reduction in Restraints Following a Functional Analysis of Severe Problem Behavior and Communication Training. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice. 2018;19:114-122 http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/bar0000139Abstract
We combined a functional analysis of precursors and problem behavior with subsequent
communication training to reduce time spent in restraint. The patient was a man in his thirties
with autism and life-long severe problem behaviors resulting in restraint. The highest
frequencies of both problem behavior and precursors were observed in the demand conditions
of the functional analysis. However, the precursors were observed across all conditions. Based
on these findings we introduced functional communication training to establish an alternative
functional response. He was taught to ask for a break when demands where presented, first in
an analog setting and later in natural settings throughout his daily life. This resulted in a
significant reduction in problem behavior and what followed was a significant reduction in the
time spent in restraints. The much-reduced level of restraint was maintained in the patient’s
natural environment at a 12-month follow-up assessment. Our findings suggest that a
functional analysis and functional communication training may be an approach to consider
when the ultimate goal is to reduce the time spent in restraint. These findings need to be
replicated with a better experimental design.