AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NECESSARY STRENGTH OF BEHAVIORAL TREATMENTS FOR SEVERE BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS

We conducted a clinical assessment of the effects of different levels of treatment implementation for behavioral treatments of aggression an d pica for three participants with developmental disabilities. Treatme nts were based on differential reinforcement of an alternative behavio r and brief rime-out. Two treatment components, the schedule of reinfo rcement and time-out, were systematically varied in a range from 100%, to 50%, to 25% of initial treatment recommendations as one measure of treatment ''strength.'' For all participants, treatment effects were maintained when time-out was implemented at 50%, and for two participa nts, treatment effects were maintained at even lower levels. The impli cations of a prior assessment of necessary treatment strength are disc ussed.