APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS FOR BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS IN ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

While psychoactive drugs are the usual treatment choice for problem be haviors in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), non-drug treatme nts are increasingly sought. This article describes applied behavior a nalysis, the predominant nondrug treatment approach for behavior probl ems in people with cognitive impairments associated with developmental disabilities. Applied behavior analysis identifies the causes of an i ndividual's problem behavior through ''functional assessment'' and the n employs treatment methods that address those causes. Functional asse ssment seeks information on environmental and internal factors influen cing a problem behavior, emphasizing the function, or purpose the prob lem behavior serves for the individual. Applied behavior analysis meri ts further investigation as a treatment approach to behavior problems in AD.