Function-based assessments and interventions for problem behavior

The overarching goal of this project is to reduce the knowledge gap in the effective intervention of challenging behaviors and stimulate interest in the BACB credential in Chennai, India. The CDC estimates a prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Asia between 1% and 2%. This translates to more than 25,000 individuals affected with ASD in Chennai city. With only 3 behavior analysis practitioners in the region of Chennai, individuals with ASD encounter several barriers to effective and humane behavioral interventions, particularly when they engage in challenging behavior. Challenging behaviors often present barriers at home, at school, in hospitals, and in community settings (e.g., shopping malls). The first response to challenging behaviors in India is either punishment-based procedures which pose ethical issues, or treatments such as sensory integration therapy that lack scientific support. Physical restraints, reprimands, weighted vests, and compression using a sensory blanket mark the extent of an intervention program designed to reduce disruptive behaviors in many cases. Given the limited understanding of applied behavior analysis in Chennai, there is a clear need for guidelines that are easy to access and distribute. The goal of the project is to initiate a much-needed paradigm shift in Chennai from existing non-evidence-based approaches to handling challenging behavior to approaches incorporating a behavior-analytic perspective. Despite the development of effective behavioral technologies to treat problem behavior and a wealth of published research, the application of behavior analysis in India is impeded by the shortage of trained behavior analysis practitioners. Data (retrieved from BACB®?s certificant registry) for the past 3 years indicate an increase in the number of certified professionals in Chennai at the rate of one every year, while an estimate of the number of requests received by a BCBA® from parents and allied professionals seeking help with treating problem behavior is 20 every month (personal communication, Maithri Sivaraman). Currently, BCBA®s in all regions of India collectively represent only 0.6% of BCBA®s worldwide while India represents about 18% of the world?s population. However, an expansion in the number of certified professionals is unlikely to occur unless the practitioners and parents in India gain knowledge and understanding of the behavioral approach to treating problem behavior. That is, it is difficult to market a credential to a population whose practice is at odds with a behavioral perspective. This calls for a culturally-sensitive community intervention such as ours that directly addresses the activities ? the what and the how ? to be undertaken in the assessment and treatment of problem behavior. We believe that community participation and ownership is crucial until the service delivery gap is bridged. Your funds will support the following two project aims: Aim 1. Enhance public awareness about the BACB® credential in Chennai India. Aim 2. Support the provision of education and training to those interested in learning more about applied behavior analysis and the BACB® certification program.