USING STRUCTURAL-ANALYSIS TO FACILITATE TREATMENT OF AGGRESSION AND NONCOMPLIANCE IN A YOUNG-CHILD AT-RISK FOR BEHAVIORAL-DISORDERS

This study examined the use of structural analysis as part of assessme nt-based intervention. The participant, JB, was a 4-year-old boy whose noncompliance and aggressive behavior put him at risk for behavioral disorders and expulsion from his childcare center. The study was condu cted in two phases. Phase I involved an assessment that included struc tured interviews and observations, hypothesis development, and hypothe sis testing within the context of typically occurring routines and act ivities in the childcare. Phase 2 consisted of an assessment-based int ervention that was implemented by the childcare staff. The interventio n immediately reduced JB's noncompliance and aggressive behavior. Thes e gains were maintained throughout the study and received high accepta bility ratings from the staff who carried out the treatment. Implicati ons are presented regarding the efficacy of interventions based on dat a gained through structural analyses of problem behavior to prevent th e development of behavioral disorders.