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Utilizing a Systematic Problem
Solving Model to Select Behavioral Assessment and Treatment Methods
Michael R. PETRONKO
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey,
USA
When conducting behavioral interventions
in community settings, selection of the most efficacious strategy
is often done in less than an empirical fashion. This is further
compromised when the behavioral interventionist is required to
teach indigenous non-professionals (parents) to independently
make these decisions, subsequent to the termination of training.
A systematic - empirically supported - decision making process
will be presented as a method with which to counter these challenges.
This process has been developed to provide a management tool
to trainees, and thereby improve their competency. It follows
a five-step problem-solving model promulgated by DeZurilla (1976)
and Nezu (1989).
Once mastered, professionals and trainers are better able to
not only select sound functional analytic assessment methods,
but also to negotiate the myriad of potential intervention strategies
available, many of which need to address cultural acceptability
standards as well as professional acceptability.
Keywords: behavioral support,
community integration |