Erin K. Dunn

Effects of Behavior-Contingent and Fixed-Time Release Contingencies on Frequency and Duration of Therapeutic Restraint.

Reducing therapeutic restraint is a desirable outcome for programs that serve individuals who exhibit challenging behaviors. This study investigated the effects of modifying the criterion for release from therapeutic restraint on frequency and duration.Release from restraint was changed from a behavior-contingent criterion (restraint terminated when a specified duration of calm behavior was demonstrated) to a fixed-time criterion (restraint terminated when a predetermined duration elapsed independent of behavior) with one child and two adolescents with acquired brain injury and difficult-to-manage behaviors. For all three students, the duration of time they were exposed to therapeuticrestraint decreased with the fixed-time release criterion,whereas the frequency of restraint did not change. Practical implications of these results and future research opportunities are discussed.

Antecedent interventions in the management of maladaptive behaviours in a child with brain injury

Typically behaviour management plans attempt to change behaviour by manipulating the environmental consequences of selected behaviour. However, identifying the antecedent events that precede behaviour has also been demonstrated to be an important component of effective behaviour change programmes. The present case presentation attempts to demonstrate how antecedent procedures could be used to effectively manage behaviour problems in individuals with brain injury. Visual inspection of changes in the frequency of physical aggression and self-injurious behaviour of a child with brain injury provides preliminary data supporting the use of an intervention package of antecedent and consequence-based procedures. Clinical implications, limitations and possibilities for future research of antecedent control procedures are discussed.