10. A functional assessment is conducted and documented to determine the environmental and/or biological factors that maintain the behavior. 11. The intervention chosen: a. Is based on the Principle of the Least Restrictive
Ongoing training and team discussions are essential.
and E ffective Alternative, that is, less aversive procedures must be considered and/or tried before more aversive procedures are considered and/or tried. Other untried procedures would result in unacceptable danger to the individual (e.g., the use of extinction for self-injurious behavior that could result in significant harm to the individual before it was effective). D eviations from this
principle must be justified, documented, and guided by informed consent. b. Teaches the individual more adaptive, functionally-equivalent behaviors. c. Has empirical support from well-designed research studies.
12. All appropriate parties are provided with ongoing training regarding how and when to use the procedure and to recognize signs of distress that may warrant terminating the procedure. 13. D ata are collected to monitor treatment fidelity to ensure that personnel are implementing the procedure as planned. 14. D ata are collected to monitor changes in the target behavior and other relevant behaviors. 15. Procedures to facilitate maintenance and generalization of the behavior change are documented and implemented. 16. If continuous monitoring shows that the target behavior is not improving at the desired rate, the intervention must be reviewed and changed or terminated as necessary. Any change to the plan requires informed consent, medical clearance as appropriate, and committee approvals. 17. The procedure is effective and systematically faded or terminated as soon as the behavior is satisfactorily modified. 18. A primary focus in evaluating the success of the intervention must be the direction and extent to which the target behavior has changed as planned on and agreed to in the assessment process.
19. A secondary focus in evaluating the success must be an assessment of the other aspects of the individual’s functioning, that is, the extent to which the intervention has resulted in other positive changes. 20. An assessment of the individual or guardian’s satisfaction with the intervention must be undertaken 21. All outcomes of the intervention must be thoroughly documented.
Autism New Jersey encourages all parents and professionals to adhere to procedural safeguards.
22. The restrictive procedure is one component of an individualized and comprehensive behavior support plan designed to increase adaptive behavior, independence, and participation in meaningful relationships and activities.
Some of the elements listed above have been adapted from the G uidelines for the U se of Aversive Procedure s issued by The Australian Psychological Society.
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