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ERIC Number: EJ754174
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Dec
Pages: 8
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1547-0350
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Self-Injurious Behavior and Functional Analysis: Ethics and Evidence
Hastings, Richard P.; Noone, Stephen J.
Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, v40 n4 p335-342 Dec 2005
Ethical guidelines for behavior analysts state that functional assessment should be used before implementing treatment plans. In this paper, we discuss the ethical implications of this position using self-injurious behavior in people with developmental disabilities as a focus. Evidence is reviewed that suggests that treatment based on results of a functional assessment is likely to be more effective, less likely to be considered restrictive, more likely to be perceived as socially valid, and also focuses on principles of a constructional approach to behavior change. Alongside this generally positive evidence, there are ethical problems with the validity of some assessment methods, their potential lack of clarity, and the intensive resources required by a functional assessment. Effective, socially valid, and constructional interventions for self-injury might also be developed using preventative interventions. The balance of all of these ethical issues needs to be considered in the design of any treatments for self-injurious behavior.
Division on Developmental Disabilities, Council for Exceptional Children. DDD, PO Box 3512, Fayetteville, AR 72702. Tel: 479-575-3326; Fax: 479-575-6676; Web site: http://www.dddcec.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A