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Running header: Controversial Treatments 2

Controversial Treatments 2

Capella University

Controversial Treatments

Heather Lacharite

October 28, 2017

Introduction

Practitioners of behavior analysis provide services consistent with the dimensions of ABA. Common services may include, but are not limited to, conducting behavioral assessments, analyzing data, writing, and revising behavior-analytic treatment plans, training others to implement components of treatment plans, and overseeing the implementation of treatment plans. Behavior analysts are qualified to provide services to clients with a variety of needs, including improvements in organizational functioning (e.g., staff performance, management and pay structure interventions), skill deficits (e.g., communication, adaptive behavior), and problem behavior (e.g., aggression, self-injurious behavior), among others (Bailey & Burch 2011; about the bacb, n.d.). Behavior analyst must use procedures and techniques that have been found to be successful through research. Though ABA has gain popularity as treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it is not the only treatment there is out there.

Controversial Treatment

Lists and describes a controversial treatment from a reputable source

The theory behind the sensory integration therapy was developed by A. Jean Ayres around 1974. His focus was on the neurological processing of sensory information (). The theory is based on interferences in neurological processing and integration of sensory information disrupt the construction of purposeful behaviors (p.2). The treatment aspect is intended to offer a skillful sensory experience so to ensure that adaptive motor responses can be produced. In terms of interventions, precise and strategic sensory input in accord with the desires of the individual are categorized by the prominence on sensory stimulation and the engagement of the client during the client directed activities.

Children with ASD often have difficulty regulating sensory input from the environment. These sensory related problems include increased sensitivity to certain sounds, smells, tastes and touch (Cividini-Motta, Clark, & Ahearn, 2015). Many in the field of occupational therapy (OT) believe that these sensory issues are related to inappropriate behaviors, and they use the term sensory dysfunction to describe the behaviors that come from one's inability to process and regulate environmental stimuli. Sensory integration (SI) is a treatment widely used by OTs for the treatment of sensory dysfunction.

Sensory integration therapy can help improve ‘the way the brain processes and organizes sensations,’ by supplying the vital sensory input and experiences, the individual with sensory integration disorder needs to learn and grow (Moore, Cividini-Motta, Clark, & Ahearn, 2015).

Pros and Cons of Controversial Treatment

Lists and describes one pro and one con statement regarding the controversial treatment by citing an interview or information from a reputable source

Opinion and Ethical Considerations

Describes opinion and lists and describes which BACB ethical code element is related.

There is not sufficient evidence that supports sensory integration as a treatment and therefore behavior analyst should refrain from using procedures like this one. If a behavior analyst chose to use a procedure that does not have sufficient scientific data to support, it she would be breaking the ethical code Reliance on scientific knowledge (1.01). One of the characteristics that make behavior analysis unique is the reliance on scientific evidence as a basis of our practice.

Often behavior analysts work with the most vulnerable populations. Unfortunately, terrible incidents of negligence and abuse have occurred in the past related to behavior modification techniques (Bailey & Burch 2011). Because of the history of the profession, ethical guidelines are a big part of ABA and behavior analyst to wish to continue to provide their services are to obey by this ethical code.

The first code Reliance on scientific knowledge (1.01) states that behavior analysts rely on scientifically and professionally derived knowledge when making scientific or professional judgments (Bailey & Burch 2011). This means that behavior analyst use procedures and techniques that have been found to be successful through research. Though ABA has gain popularity as treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it is not the only treatment there is out there.

References

Bailey, J. S., & Burch, M. R. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts (2nd Expanded edition). New York: Routledge

Moore, K. M., Cividini-Motta, C., Clark, K. M., & Ahearn, W. H. (2015). Sensory Integration as a Treatment for Automatically Maintained Stereotypy. Behavioral Interventions, 30(2), 95-111. doi:10.1002/bin.1405

Pfeiffer, B. A., Koenig, K., Kinnealey, M., Sheppard, M., & Henderson, L. (2011). Effectiveness of Sensory Integration Interventions in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot Study. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy: Official Publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 65(1), 76–85.

Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for ... - BACB. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2016, from http://bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/160321-compliance-code-english.pdf