Intrusiveness of behavioral treatments for adults with intellectual disability.

The current study examined treatment intrusiveness within behavior intervention programs developed for adults with intellectual disability (ID). Behavior analysts provided demographic information about themselves, their adult clients with ID, and their clients' behavior intervention plans, and they completed an online version of the Treatment Intrusiveness Measure (Carter et al., 2009), an instrument that provides a Base Level Intrusiveness Score (BLIS; a score computed across five areas of categorization, such as, Health and Safety) and a Modified Level of Intrusiveness Score (MLIS), which assesses the presence or absence of intrusiveness-reducing practices. Among other findings, various statistical analyses revealed (a) a significant difference between BLIS and modified (BLIS minus MLIS) intrusiveness scores, (b) the practices within which most of the intrusiveness was concentrated within behavioral treatment programs, and (c) the least- and most-utilized intrusiveness-reducing practices. Implications are provided to assist professionals working with adults with ID who engage in challenging behavior and are supported through behavior intervention services.

Children with autism in the People's Republic of China: diagnosis, legal issues, and educational services.

Since the late 1970s, special education in the People's Republic of China has experienced significant reform and fast development. However, education for children with severe developmental disabilities, especially autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), is still the greatest challenge in the field. This paper aims to give readers an overview of what is happening to children with ASDs in China. We first address the issue of prevalence of ASDs, and then offer an introduction to the diagnostic process. After that, a review of disability-related legislation is provided, followed by a description of current treatment options and available educational services. Finally we introduce all extent service providers and their roles.

The development of an instrument to evaluate treatment intrusiveness for individuals with severe and challenging behavior.

The current study examined the use of an instrument designed to evaluate the intrusiveness of treatments for addressing problem behaviors. Participants read case vignettes with proposed treatments and then completed a checklist of factors that could influence the degree of treatment intrusiveness. Results indicated that the participants were capable of using the instrument to differentiate among treatments that were considered to have varying levels of treatment intrusiveness. Implications of using a systematic method for evaluating the intrusiveness of treatments are discussed.