METHODS TO TREAT CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS MAINTAINED BY ESCAPE

After functional analyses conducted on the
disruptive classroom behavior of 3 first grade
students determined their behavior to be maintained
by negative reinforcement, three interventions were
evaluated for their effectiveness. Differential
negative reinforcement of alternative behavior
(DNRA), differential reinforcement of incompatible
behavior (DRI), and noncontingent reinforcement
(NCR) were evaluated. For 1 child, NCR reduced
problem behavior the most. For 2 participants, the
level of problem behavior was undifferentiated
during the comparison. Teacher completed IRP-15s
determined that DRI was more acceptable to each
teacher. Therefore, the problem behavior of 2
participants was evaluated further using DRI. Both
the NCR and DRI interventions were evaluated in ABAB
designs that demonstrated each intervention to be
successful in reducing classroom behavior problems
maintained by negative reinforcement. Functional
Analysis, treatment comparisons, and treatment
acceptability are discussed.

Autorentext

Dr. Mueller is the Director of Behavior Services at Southern Behavioral Group in Atlanta, GA. He specializes in the assessment and treatment of severe behavior problems in school settings.

Klappentext

After functional analyses conducted on the disruptive classroom behavior of 3 first grade students determined their behavior to be maintained by negative reinforcement, three interventions were evaluated for their effectiveness. Differential negative reinforcement of alternative behavior (DNRA), differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI), and noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) were evaluated. For 1 child, NCR reduced problem behavior the most. For 2 participants, the level of problem behavior was undifferentiated during the comparison. Teacher completed IRP-15s determined that DRI was more acceptable to each teacher. Therefore, the problem behavior of 2 participants was evaluated further using DRI. Both the NCR and DRI interventions were evaluated in ABAB designs that demonstrated each intervention to be successful in reducing classroom behavior problems maintained by negative reinforcement. Functional Analysis, treatment comparisons, and treatment acceptability are discussed.