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| Data Collection and Autism Service Delivery |
| Monday, May 26, 2008 |
| 3:00 PM–4:20 PM |
| Stevens 5 |
| Area: AUT |
| Chair: Kathryne Balch (BEST Consulting, Inc.) |
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| Data Collection in Early Autism Intervention: An Investigation of Frequency, Percent Correct and Rate. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| KATHRYNE BALCH (BEST Consulting, Inc.), Mark Adams (BEST Consulting, Inc.), Dena Mendoza (BEST Consulting, Inc.), Alyson Padgett (BEST Consulting, Inc.) |
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| Abstract: Precision Teaching and Fluency Based Instruction have contributed advances to data collection systems and reminding behavior analysts to focus on dimensions of behavior other than frequency. This presentation will describe the process of changing the data collection system from frequency and percent correct to a system that incorporates rate measurement, charting and within-session goal setting. Topics of discussion include a visual analysis of frequency and percent correct versus rate, differences in charting/graphing, new target introduction, target mastery, and similar clinical programming decisions both within and across sessions. |
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| Interobserver Observer Agreement (IOA) in Clinical Application: IOA Competition Between ABA Treatment Teams. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| SARAH CHO (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Jamie Gibson (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Laura Weigel (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Jonathan J. Tarbox (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.) |
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| Abstract: The reliability of observational behavior data in everyday clinical settings is inherently flawed because it depends on the behavior of human observers. Because of this, researchers often plan to have two or more individuals collecting observational data at the same time. Then a measure of validity and objectivity of the data is derived by the extent to which the observers agreed upon what happened. The level of agreement between observers viewing the same event is often referred to as “interobserver agreement” (IOA). The current study describes the implementation of a large-scale application of IOA procedures in the clinical environment at a CARD clinic in Sacramento, CA. Approximately 30 therapy teams entered into an IOA competition with each team attempting to score the highest IOA. Therapy teams were comprised of the case supervisor, senior therapist and team therapists. Each therapy team conducted IOA on one teaching program during client treatment meetings which occurred bi-weekly. Teams scoring between 85-100% IOA advanced into the IOA Semi-Finals and then the top 3 teams entered into the IOA Finals. The leading therapy teams continued conducting IOA during client treatment meetings until the highest IOA score was achieved. High IOA was achieved across treatment teams and employees reported that they enjoyed the process of learning how to assess IOA and integrating it into their everyday clinical work. |
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| Using Portable Web-Enabled Devices for Real-Time Data Recording: Low-Cost and No-Cost Solutions You Can Do. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| JAMES T. TODD (Eastern Michigan University), Lisa M. Manthey (Wayne State University) |
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| Abstract: The effectiveness of behavioral interventions is often compromised by the lack of timely and accurate information about behavior. Even when the importance of good data is acknowledged, good data are not often found. The data might be taken incorrectly, lost, not collected at all, recorded “from memory” at the end of a shift, guessed at, and even just made up. The practical difficulties of getting accurate information sometimes causes good behavior analysts to go bad, giving up on data entirely, resting on the assumption that the intervention “just works.” Many others go down fighting in their attempt to heed Sherman’s dictum: “Good therapy is good research.” Modern electronics offers a way out. The new class of wireless Internet browsers—the iPod Touch, the iPhone, BlackBerry PDAs, and web-enabled telephones—provides almost anyone with some server space and an email account with the capability of creating simple and reliable online, real-time data recording applications that can be run on web-enabled devices without proprietary software or costly software licensing fees. This presentation provides an introduction to the implementation of some of these simple server-based solutions for real-time data recording. Technical requirements will be discussed. Working examples will be demonstrated and made freely available. |
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