J. Northup et al., AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NECESSARY STRENGTH OF BEHAVIORAL TREATMENTS FOR SEVERE BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS, Journal of developmental and physical disabilities, 9(1), 1997, pp. 1-16
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.