Association for Behavior Analysis International

Collaboration is key when utilizing applied behavior analysis (ABA) and other behavioral strategies to improve the quality of life for adults living with a brain injury. Adults with a brain injury often have experiences of a lifestyle that was interrupted by this event. In turn, this may result in a change to their perspective and experience of quality of life. They may not feel that they have the control to make their own life decisions that they once did and may have difficulty reaching their goals of self-advocacy and physical activities that once was easier for them. Practitioners must consider both pre and post injury lifestyles and how to support the values of the individual in a way that promotes individual choices. In this discussion, presenters will share their application of these strategies through active service delivery methods. They will share successes and barriers in practice, as well as exemplifying the importance of the collaborative nature of their work. Through use of a transparent and collaborative process, behavior assessment and behavior changes strategies can be implemented with the person in each step, in turn, potentially creating better person-centered models and future success.

Participants should have a basic understanding of the applications of behavior change strategies and behavior assessment as well as an interest in application of these toward the population of people with acquired brain injury (ABI).

It is crucial to have buy-in from the beginning stages of understanding behavioral functions to inform treatment for adults with a brain injury. Participants should be incorporated in every step of the journey toward understanding and treatment of undesirable behaviors in order to develop effective behavior support plans. This presentation will travel through 2 case studies that utilized validated tools in full collaboration with participants in order to find functional hypotheses. The presenter will outline how the process was approached, outlined, and designed with the participant in order to promote a person centered approach and a multi-disciplinary decision making process. The presenter will also discuss how the assessment was implemented with an eye toward collaboration. The presentation will wrap with ideas of how to approach the sharing of the report with the individual as well as with other members of the individuals’ multidisciplinary teams and families and then, how that is translated into a function based support plan build with compassion and care.

There are many notable long-term impairments associated with an acquired brain injury (ABI), including cognitive, physical, social, and psychological functioning. These impairments can further impact an individual’s sense of self and ability to self-advocate for themselves as they feel they may not have control and/or capacity to make their own decisions. In this discussion, the presenter will outline strategies to facilitate a client’s self-advocacy skills for more active participation in the client’s ABI team meeting using coaching, modeling, rehearsal, motivation, reinforcement, and caregiver education. Through case studies, the presenter will share tools that have been successful in fostering a sense of self-worth and accomplishment and barriers to success. Applications to extend the benefits of self-advocacy beyond the individual’s team meeting will be discussed for greater carryover across meaningful life events for the individual with ABI and their family. This topic is of utmost importance to the healthcare field to the creation of more effective person-centered models as well as improving overall quality of life.

Adults with acquired brain injury may benefit from the use of basic behavior change strategies to meet their individual goals in structured treatment sessions. Through the interview and assessment process, the practitioner will partner with the individual to select meaningful goals that are important to them and match their values. These may include goals to regain aspects of their lifestyle that was lost due to the injury or achieve a new goal. Based on these individual values and personal goals, a practitioner should match age appropriate and person preferred methods in the design phase of intervention to allow for choice and increased participation in treatment. Three case studies will be reviewed to outline the use of such strategies including checklists, self-monitoring, and motivation. These case studies will demonstrate successful implementation leading to improved individual quality of life through attainment of their goals in physical activity, daily living, and making healthy choices.