Brad A. Dufrene

Brief antecedent assessment and treatment of tics in the general education classroom : A preliminary investigation

The purpose of this study was to determine if specific classroom antecedents were associated with motor and vocal tics in two males diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome. Afunctional assessment consisting of teacher and student interviews, direct observations, brief functional analysis, and confirmatory naturalistic observations indicated that specific antecedents could be identified for each participant. Simplified habit reversal was then implemented only under the antecedent condition that resulted in the highest rate of tics. The rate of tics decreased under the specific antecedent condition as well as at other times as validated by behavioral observations conducted at random times. The discussion focuses on the utility of conducting such assessments, the methodological and applied limitations of the current study, and avenues for further research.

The Effects of the Good Behavior Game With General-Education High School Students

Abstract. The purpose of the present study was to extend previous research by evaluating the effect of the interdependent group contingency procedure known as the Good Behavior Game (GBG) on decreasing disruptive behaviors with general-education high school students. Although many studies exist that have used the GBG to alter behaviors across ages ranging from preschool to adulthood, few studies exist in which the GBG has been used in general-education high school classrooms. The present study used separate ABAB withdrawal designs in three classrooms, with withdrawal and reimplementation in two of the classrooms. All three classrooms demonstrated large effect sizes with clear and substantial decreases in disruptive behaviors during the intervention phases. Teachers found the intervention acceptable, supporting the use of a modified version of the GBG in high school classrooms. Students found it generally acceptable as well, though with some reservations regarding certain aspects of the procedure.

Effects of Academic Response Rates on Time-On-Task in the Classroom for Students at Academic and Behavioral Risk

This study examined the effects of task difficulty on on-task behavior for four students exhibiting low levels of math performance and on-task behavior. Curriculum-based assessments were conducted with each student to define the difficulty level of math tasks for each student based on the individual’s rate of accurate performance on computational math problems. Using a multi-element design, the effects of individually determined high (frustration), moderate (instructional), and easy (fluent) level tasks were evaluated on on-task behavior during independent seatwork in math class. For all students, results suggested that on-task behavior was a function of task difficulty, with on-task behavior being highest for easy (fluent) level tasks and lowest for high difficulty (frustration level) math tasks.

The Effects of Check-In/Check-Out on Problem Behavior and Academic Engagement in Elementary School Students.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of Check-in/Check-out (CICO) for improving behavioral performance for three students referred for Tier 2 behavioral supports. An ABAB withdrawal design was used to evaluate CICO and results indicate that intervention was effective for reducing problem behavior as well as increasing academic engagement for all students as evidenced by direct observation of students’ behavior. Following effective implementation of CICO, a fading process was introduced that included use of Mystery Motivator (MM). Results indicate that MM successfully maintained behavioral performance for two of the three students. In addition, for one student, intervention was further faded such that self-monitoring replaced teacher ratings and feedback for behavior. Results are discussed in terms of CICO research and practice.

Functional Analysis and Treatment of Nail Biting

This study applied functional analysis methodology to nail biting exhibited by a 24-year-old female graduate student. Results from the brief functional analysis indicated variability in nail biting across assessment conditions. Functional analysis data were then used to guide treatment development and implementation. Treatment included a simplified habit reversal package that was modified based on results of the functional analysis. Following treatment implementation, nail biting decreased as evidenced by consistent nail growth and participant self-recorded data. Results are discussed in terms of treatment utility of functional analysis methodology for novel populations and response topographies.

Using Brief Assessments to Select Math Fluency and On-task Behavior Interventions: An Investigation of Treatment Utility

This study examined the utility of a brief assessment approach for identifying a potentially effective intervention to improve math performance and on-task behavior. Participants included four elementary students referred for intervention services in the general education classroom. A brief individual assessment was conducted with each participant to compare the relative effects of incentives (reward) and instruction on math fluency. For all four students, reward plus instruction resulted in elevated performance compared to reward alone. Following the brief assessment, the effects of intervention that included both rewards and instruction was evaluated using a multiple baseline design across subjects. In all four cases, improvement was observed in math fluency and on-task behavior with intervention on a moderate difficulty (instructional) level task. Results are discussed in terms of the utility of a brief assessment approach for identifying effective interventions for individuals struggling to achieve academic and behavioral success in regular education classrooms.

Effects of tootling on classwide disruptive and appropriate behavior of upper-elementary students.

The current study assessed the effects of a positive peer reporting procedure known as Tootling on classwide disruptive as well as appropriate behavior with fourth- and fifth-grade students and their teachers in two regular education classrooms. Tootling is a technique that teaches students to recognize and report peers’ prosocial behavior rather than inappropriate behavior (i.e., as in tattling), and is also a variation on the expression, “tooting your own horn.” Tootling combined with an interdependent group contingency and publicly posted feedback were assessed using an ABAB withdrawal design with a multiple baseline element across classrooms. Results demonstrated decreases in classwide disruptive behavior as well as increases in appropriate behavior compared with baseline and withdrawal phases across both classrooms, with results maintained at follow-up. Tootling was also rated highly acceptable by both teachers. Effect size calculations reflected moderate to strong effects across all comparisons. Limitations of the present study, directions for future research, and implications for practice are discussed.

Classwide Functional Analysis and Treatment of Preschoolers' Disruptive Behavior.

Relatively few functional assessment and intervention studies have been conducted in preschool classrooms with children of typical development who engage in high incidence problem behaviors. Moreover, limited studies have used functional assessment procedures with the class as the unit of analysis. This study included functional analyses and a function-based differential reinforcement procedure for 2 preschool classrooms referred for behavioral consultation services because multiple students were engaging in disruptive behavior. Results indicated that function-based differential reinforcement interventions resulted in reductions in childrens disruptive behavior and teachers rated assessment and intervention procedures as acceptable. The authors discuss the results in terms of functional assessment and function-based intervention research and practice in preschool classrooms.

Generalizability Theory Analysis of CBM Maze Reliability in Third- through Fifth-Grade Students.

Despite growing use of CBM Maze in universal screening and research, little information is available regarding the number of CBM Maze probes needed for reliable decisions. The current study extends existing research on the technical adequacy of CBM Maze by investigating the number of probes and assessment durations (1-3 min) needed for reliable relative (e.g., rank-ordering students) and absolute (e.g., comparing a specific score to a cutoff) decisions. Nine CBM Maze probes were administered to 272 students in third through fifth grades. Results suggested that the number of probes needed for reliable relative and absolute decisions varied by grade, with assessments in fifth grade exhibiting the highest reliability (at least two probes needed for both types of decisions). In addition, declining gains in reliability appeared to occur as assessment duration increased. Implications of the findings for universal screening and future research are discussed.

Effects of Verbal and Graphed Feedback on Treatment Integrity

Treatment integrity is the degree to which an intervention is implemented as designed and is critical for concluding whether the intervention is responsible for treatment outcomes. This study aimed to add to the integrity literature by examining graphed performance feedback alone and in conjunction with verbal performance feedback for increasing teacher integrity. Participants in this study included four student–teacher dyads. The authors used an A/B/BC/B design with counterbalancing across participants to assess the effects of graphed feedback alone and combined with verbal feedback on teacher treatment integrity. Results indicated that graphed feedback with a verbal component resulted in slightly higher levels of integrity than the graphed phase, but the differences were negligible. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.