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| Behavioral Assessment of ADHD Behavior |
| Sunday, May 30, 2010 |
| 3:00 PM–4:20 PM |
| Texas Ballroom Salon C (Grand Hyatt) |
| Area: CBM; Domain: Service Delivery |
| Chair: Jeffrey Danforth (Eastern Connecticut State University) |
| Discussant: Marguerite L. Hoerger (University of Wales Bangor) |
| Abstract: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), characterized by high rates of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, is associated with impaired functioning across home, school and community. This symposium exemplifies current issues in the behavioral assessment of ADHD behavior. The first paper discusses high-rate smoking among individuals with ADHD. Data show that cigarettes enhance the performance of individuals with ADHD. ADHD may be a motivating operation that increases the reinforcing effectiveness of nicotine. The analysis leads to specific prevention strategies. A second paper evaluates the effects of stimulant medication on the evocative effects of four motivating conditions for a 16-year-old male with ADHD: high-preference and low-preference activities, low attention, and divided attention. Results are discussed in relation to the contrast between motivating operations and medication effects.
A third paper examines data from an outpatient clinic treating children with ADHD. Data are presented on the frequency of different presenting problems as well as the most common classes of functional reinforcers. The need for a functional assessment and the kinds of research needed to assert that functional assessment adds incremental validity is examined. These papers exemplify the contribution that behavioral assessment can make to issues related to ADHD behavior and treatment. |
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| Behavior Analysis of Cigarette Smoking Among Individuals With ADHD |
| JEFFREY DANFORTH (Eastern Connecticut State University), Vania Modesto-Lowe (Connecticut Valley Hospital), Carla Neering (Quinnipiac University) |
| Abstract: Cigarette smoking is the leading source of preventable morbidity worldwide. Compared to individuals without ADHD, twice as many teens and adults with ADHD report smoking and they smoke at a higher rate. A descriptive functional analysis of medical literature reveals that nicotine, via cigarettes, increases attention span and reduces impulsive responding in individuals with ADHD. These outcomes set the occasion for improved academic performance, enhanced social relationships and decreased rates of disruptive behavior. As such, ADHD may be a motivating operation that increases the reinforcing effectiveness of nicotine and increases the rate of behavior that has been consequated by nicotine, cigarette smoking. Understanding how ADHD may increase risk for smoking paves the way to developing prevention programs that target the specific needs of this population. Prevention strategies that ask children with ADHD to focus on the long-term health effects of smoking may be ineffective because of the delayed consequences. Approaches that focus on the immediate issues may be more useful. The validity of some of the measures of ADHD behavior must be taken into account when examining these data. |
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| Effects of Stimulant Medication Under Varied Motivational Operations |
| DUNCAN PRITCHARD (Aran Hall School), F. Charles Mace (University of Southern Maine), Karen Thomas (Aran Hall School), Jane Kochy (Aran Hall School), Tim J. Dyer (Aran Hall School) |
| Abstract: We evaluated the effects of stimulant medication on the evocative effects of four motivating conditions for a 16-year-old male with ADHD and moderate mental retardation: high-preference and low-preference activities, low attention, and divided attention. Two behaviors known to be directly affected by stimulant medication (activity engagement and activity changes) and three undesirable behaviors that may be indirectly affected by stimulant medication (inappropriate touching, rude behaviors, and physical aggression) were measured. All measures improved with stimulant medication. Results are discussed in relation to the contrast between motivating operations and medication effects. |
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| Functional Assessment and the Question of Incremental Validity in an Outpatient ADHD Clinic |
| DAVID REITMAN (Nova Southeastern University), Elliot Joseph (Nova Southeastern University) |
| Abstract: We examined a subset of clinical cases from archival data gathered during the first 4 years of an outpatient training clinic in a University clinic treating children with ADHD and other common problems affecting children and adolescents. Data will be presented on the relative frequency of different presenting problems identified in this outpatient clinical setting, as well as the most common classes of functional reinforcers identified for the most commonly occurring problems. Since the clinic treats children that function within the”typical” developmental spectrum, the discussion of the data will concern two issues. The appropriateness or need for a functional assessment approach in well-child outpatient settings, and the kinds of research and evidence that would be needed to assert that functional assessment adds incremental validity (or “adds value”) in the context of contemporary outpatient treatments for children with ADHD. |
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