Long-Term Multicomponent Intervention to Reduce Severe Problem Behavior

Abstract

In this case study, a nonexperimental description is provided of the effects of access to community activities, functional communication training, and living situations on severe self-injury, assault, and property destruction by a 35-year-old man diagnosed with autism and moderate mental retardation. Functional assessments were conducted on an ongoing basis. Based on these assessments, hypothesis-driven intervention decisions made it possible to convert the use of restraint as a crisis management strategy into an intervention strategy. Problem behaviors decreased rapidly following the introduction of a communication strategy, and this reduction was maintained after he moved to his own home for the remaining 35 months of the study. Significant improvements in his quality of life were apparent following the move to his own home. The development and implementation of the man's intervention plan was consistent with the recommendations of Carr, Horner, et al. (1999a) regarding best practices in the area of community-based positive behavioral support and illustrates an approach to making complex intervention decisions through ongoing functional assessment, hypothesis generation, and analysis of behavioral data.