Achieving Goals in Conjoint Behavioral Consultation The Nuts

Achieving Goals in Conjoint Behavioral Consultation: The Nuts and Bolts Shannon E. Dowd Ariadne V. Schemm Brandy L. Clarke

Achieving Goals • Identifying an observable target behavior. • Developing user friendly data collection. • Defining and developing a reasonable goal. • Developing and evaluating a treatment plan.

Identifying an observable target behavior • Provide a precise description/ definition of the target concern. • Focus on specific aspects of the behavior that can be understood by an independent observer. Criteria for good behavioral definitions • Objective: observable characteristics of behavior must be countable and measurable. • Clear: unambiguous, specific, and reliable.

Identifying an observable target behavior • Focus on one specific academic, behavioral, or social concern. • Select the most problematic or important behavioral concerns. • Parents and teachers can select separate target behaviors for each setting. • Be flexible! It may be necessary to redefine the target behavior to achieve goals.

Developing user friendly data collection. • Ensure data collection procedures are appropriate for the target behavior and can be continued throughout the problem solving process. • Keep data collection simple and meaningful: – Permanent product – Direct observation – Performance-based assessment

Developing user friendly data collection. • Provide a data collection form for observers. • Establish who, where, when, and how data collection will occur. • Provide visual representation of data marking progress throughout the process.

Defining and developing a reasonable goal • Examine the data to verify the nature and extent of the problem. • Decide what is an acceptable level of the behavior at home and at school. – What “we want” versus what will earn success – Realistic expectations for the individual child • Verify general agreement about the goal among all team members.

Developing and evaluating a treatment plan. • Use functional analysis to guide the development of the plan • Describe the primary steps of the plan • Identify when each step will occur and who will implement it. • Write these into a simple, written intervention plan. • Continue data collection throughout treatment phase.

Developing and evaluating a treatment plan. • Determine if the goals of problem solving have been met. • Assess the need for and strategies concerning plan modifications if goals are not met. • Plan for generalization and maintenance if goals were met.

Case Example: Brandon Case Information Provided by Brandy Clarke, UNL Graduate Student

Brandon • Demographics • Referral Concerns • Contextual Features

Strategies for identifying an observable target behavior • Different contexts were targeted across settings due to specific needs of the classroom and home environment – Home: Tantrums related to limit setting – School: Tantrums related to over-stimulating situations

Strategies for developing user friendly data collection • Provided data collection sheets and clearly outlined procedures • Checked-in with consultees to ensure data collection worked for their routine – Teacher decided to use her own monthly calendar for familiarity and accessibility.

Strategies for defining and developing a reasonable goal Goal Development Considerations: • Ensured that Brandon was set up for behavioral success • Met Mom’s behavioral expectations for acceptable duration of tantrum behavior • Teachers presented information on typical developmental paths for children with special needs • Team members agreed on goal set for Brandon.

Strategies for developing and evaluating a treatment plan • Teacher provided information about the effective classroom strategies that had been tried with Brandon. • The methods were tailored for the home environment to meet mother’s needs and resources. • Treatment integrity was checked regularly to address difficulties and modify plan as needed. • Outcomes: decreased tantrum duration and met mom’s needs