Applied Behavior Analysis and Treatment of Violence and Aggression

Abstract

This chapter reviews the contribution of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to the treatment of violence and aggression demonstrated by children, youth, and adults. The authors consider several key features of an ABA approach such as assessment and measurement, functional behavioral assessment, and functional analysis. Other areas included in the chapter are clinical case formulation, assessment‐derived treatment, writing behavior support plans, and training interventionists. We present and describe the contemporary evidence‐based literature dealing with ABA's treatment of aggression and violence that is attention maintained, escape motivated, and automatically reinforced. The participants in this research are persons who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, psychiatric disorders, and traumatic brain injury. The chapter concludes by highlighting the need for risk assessment and adapting treatment procedures to the constraints of natural settings.

The fundamental role of social validity in behavioral consultation in school settings

“…As such, consultants should use evidence-based practices such as BST and competence-based measurement of skills when conducting FALLETTA-COWDEN AND LEWON consultee training. These practices make it more likely that consultees experience the success of their efforts, which is an important aspect of the social validity of consultant services (Luiselli, 2020;Park & Blair, 2019). In addition to increasing the likelihood of treatment success, BST also provides many opportunities for consultants to build rapport with consultees through performance feedback.…”