Association for Behavior Analysis International

As funding sources dwindle, new avenues need to be paved to obtain services for children who display challenging behavior. State funded grants are a potential source of novel funding, as behavioral interventions can be a cost-effective method of producing significant clinical change in a relatively short period of time.

Through a voter approved tax on cigarettes, First Things First of Arizona awarded over $134.9 million in 2010 to organizations to ensure a solid foundation for children aged 0-5 years (www.azftf.gov). Since 2009, applied behavior analysisservices were awarded a grant to provide short term intervention to families experiencing challenges with their child's behavior. This new funding source seeks to increase parental knowledge and lower familial stress through behavioral intervention. Each family receives 1:1 in-home intervention as well as the ability to participate in group parent training classes to support knowledge learned individually. The need for these services will be discussed as well as the demographics of families entering the program. Treatment length will be examined by type of challenging behavior in order to see potential cost effectiveness of the program.

The effect of one child's behavior problems is wide spread. Often examined is the effect upon parental stress (Hastings, 2002; Dyson, 1996). As part of enrollment in a grant funded behavioral program, each family was required to submit pre and post questionnaires. These include Parental Stress Index (PSI), Parental Locus of Control (PLOC), Knowledge Survey, Confidence Survey, and Behavior Problems Inventory (BPI). Results indicate positive changes in the majority of measures. According to PSI scores, more than 15 families reported a decrease in defensive responding, parental distress, parent-child difficult interaction, difficult child, and total stress. According to the PLOC and confidence survey, more than 15 families reported an increase in confidence levels. According to the BPI, over 15 families reported a decrease in their child's self-injurious behavior, stereotypy, and aggression. Interestingly, the parental knowledge measure decreased across the time of intervention.

Due to the short term nature of the services, an important component is training the caregivers on implementation of their child's intervention plan. It is often thought that providing parents with caregiver training and feedback can reduce their child's maladaptive behaviors (Sanders & Glynn, 1981). The higher the caregiver participation in this training, the higher the probability the protocol will maintain once treatment is terminated. In addition to the in-home caregiver training, classes were offered that addressed early childhood development, common childhood issues, and parenting techniques. Of the 50 plus families enrolled in the program, about 20% attended the caregiver training classes. Of those that attended, about 60% had a child with a diagnosis of autism. Specific barriers prevented other families from being able to attend. Outcome measures were examined in terms of parent participation in classes.

Although known to be effective in changing behavior,applied behavior analysisis often cited as being expensive-often outside of the average family's budget (Chasson et al 2007; Datta, 2010). However, by implementing tailored individualized intervention along with general behavioral parenting classes, effective intervention may be within the reach of more families than first believed. One case study addresses the inappropriate aggression and tantrums of a young boy while increasing manding through differential reinforcement. The second case study addresses inappropriate vocalizations and non-compliance of a young boy through differential reinforcement and time-outs. Cases are discussed in terms of outcome, time investment, and potential cost implications.