Implementation of Differential Reinforcement of Other Behaviors (DRO) Method
For this week’s assignment, you will play the role of an experienced Board-Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) who is working for a new company.
As an experienced BCaBA, you are asked to evaluate a case scenario and the possible ethical considerations. You need to weigh the risks and benefits of an intervention given the severity of the client’s behaviors.
Scenario
Ali is a 5-year-old child diagnosed with autism that engages in several problem behaviors in the classroom setting. The current classroom includes one teacher, a teacher’s assistant, and a paraprofessional with 12 students in the class. This is a self-contained classroom, and all of the students in the classroom have various needs. Ali’s most severe problem behavior includes self-injurious behavior of hitting herself in the forehead. This behavior is often mild in magnitude but sometimes more forceful to the point that it leaves a mark. Currently, the behavior occurs about 15 times per day. Ali’s parents are concerned that this behavior may be causing headaches and other pain. You want to get together the team of stakeholders to involve them in the decision making. You also want to rule out any medical issues so you consult the parent about asking the doctor about the headaches. You ask for consent to speak with the other individuals on the team.
After observing the behavior, you notice that the behavior mostly occurs during group lessons or when the teacher is not attending to Ali. Parents also notice that when they are talking or on the phone, the behavior occurs. The function of the self-injurious behavior is hypothesized to be attention.
The current recommendation for a behavior intervention is that a Differential Reinforcement of Other behaviors (DRO) procedure be implemented for the absence of head hitting. First, interresponse time data will need to be collected to determine the interval schedule. Before proceeding, you want to weigh the risks and benefits of implementing this procedure since Ali’s behavior is self-injurious. Since the function is hypothesized to be attention-seeking, you wonder if extinction combined with reinforcement (DRO) is the best procure. Discuss the risks and benefits of implementing a DRO procedure for the absence of head hitting.
https://link(dot)springer(dot)com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_1903#:~:text=Definition,than%20a%20specific%20target%20behavior.&text=Other%20names%20for%20this%20procedure,zero%20occurrences%20or%20omission%20training
Assignment Directions
Once you have read the case scenario above, use the Unit 7 Assignment Template to complete this assignment. You will be asked to do the following:
Summarize the case scenario.
What is the target behavior?
Is it dangerous to the client or others?
Summarize the relevant codes and explain the relevance of these codes to the given case.
2.14 Selecting, Designing, and Implementing Behavior-Change Interventions
2.15 Minimizing Risk of Behavior-Change Interventions.
Summarize how you have weighed the risks and benefits of this case. Be sure to include all of the following:
How will the client directly benefit from this intervention?
How will the stakeholders benefit from the client’s success with this intervention?
Describe how your intervention is conceptually consistent with behavioral principles, based on scientific evidence, and based on assessment results.
Explain how you have prioritized positive reinforcement procedures.
Summarize the steps you have taken to best meet the diverse needs, context, and resources of the client and stakeholders.
What is the risk to the client?
Is there any risk to others in the setting? (Consider parents, classmates, the behavior analyst (BA), and any other stakeholders)
Are there sufficient personnel or mediators to implement the intervention?
Have they been or will they be trained?
Is the setting appropriate for the treatment?
Is the behavior analyst (BA) experienced in the treatment of this type of case?
Summarize the steps you have taken to consider the design and implementation of behavior-change interventions to produce outcomes likely to maintain under naturalistic conditions.
How will the client come into contact with new reinforcers?
Will the client have sufficient opportunities to practice this new skill?
Provide a brief statement of how you will evaluate and document the effectiveness of your intervention.
Provide a brief statement of your conditions for modification or discontinuing ineffective intervention.
Provide a one paragraph summary that includes:
The potential risks
The potential benefits
An explanation of how the benefits outweigh risks
Assignment Guidelines
Your completed assignment should include the following elements:
Make sure to answer the questions using the template in complete sentences.
The assignment must be written in Standard English and demonstrate superior organization, including a highly developed viewpoint and purpose that is clearly established and sustained. The communication of your thoughts must be highly ordered, logical, and unified, displaying exceptional content, organization, style, and mechanics (including the use of correct grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure).
Your responses should reflect professional writing standards, using proper tone and language. The writing and writing style should be correct and accurate, and reflect knowledge of ethics in applied behavior analysis.
Be sure to include a references page with sources listed in APA format. Include a minimum of two sources to support your responses and conclusions. One can be your text. The other should be from a peer-reviewed journal or article found in the Purdue Global Library.
This assignment assesses the following Course Outcomes:
PS225-3: Analyze the potential risks and benefits in a risk-benefit analysis.
GEL-7.05: Evaluate ethical rules applicable to your field of practice/study.
*****References****
Behavior Analysts Certification Board (BACB). (2022). Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts - BACB.. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https://www(dot)bacb(dot)com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ethics-Code-for-Behavior-Analysts-220316-2.pdf
Dowdy, A., & Tincani, M. (2020). Assessment and treatment of challenging high‐risk behavior of adolescents with autism in an aquatic setting. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(1), 305-314.
Zane, T., Davis, C. (2013). Differential Reinforcement Procedures of Other Behavior (DRO). In: Volkmar, F.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi(dot)org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_1903
Analyzing Risks and Benefits
First/Last Name
University
PS225-Section Number - Unit 4 Assignment
Instructor name
Date
Case Summary
The case study is about Ali, a 5-year-old student suffering from autism. Occasionally, Ali hits his head to the extent that he suffers injuries. The teachers have realized that Ali hits his head when engaged in group discussions or when the teacher is not attending to him. His parents claim that he hist his head when talking on the phone. Ali's target behavior is hitting his head, and since it has been injurious in the past, it is a danger to him. The ethical dilemma in the case is whether or not to implement the Differential Reinforcement of Other Behaviors (DRO) method to prevent Ali from hitting his head.
Relevant Codes
The 2.14 code is relevant to the autism case study because it provides a framework for designing and implementing behavior change interventions. The code discusses the selection of an intervention based on the client's needs, designing it to match those needs, and implementing it effectively. For instance, Ali has a behavior of hitting his head, which could put him in danger of severe injuries. Hence, the code would play an important role in developing an effective strategy to direct his actions toward helpful behavior. The new behavior would prevent him from hitting his head. The code also addresses the importance of monitoring the client's behavior and adjusting the intervention accordingly. For example, after implementing an intervention to direct Ali's actions toward helpful behaviors, the therapist may notice that he is not using it consistently. In this case, revising the strategy would be a necessity.
The code of minimizing Ali's risk of hitting his head would include strategies for protecting him from injury. The code also addresses the importance of monitoring Ali's behavior and adjusting interventions accordingly. For example, after implementing an intervention to direct Ali's actions toward helpful behaviors, the therapist may notice that he is not using it consistently. In this case, revising the strategy would be necessary to address the following issues. The first issue is ensuring that Ali has opportunities to learn and practice new behaviors. He should also get support when learning and practicing these new behaviors and help him develop effective coping strategies to deal with stress. In turn, these factors would reduce his chances of hitting his head.
Discussion on Risks and Benefits
The differential Reinforcement of Other behaviors (DRO) procedure on an Autistic child focuses on reinforcing the child's appropriate behaviors instead of punishing inappropriate ones (Zane & Davis, 2013). This pro...