Functional Analysis & Treatment of Behavior Disorders By Dr. Iwata

[Guest guest]

FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS & TREATMENT OF SEVERE BEHAVIOR DISORDERS:

METHODS FOR CLINICIANS & EDUCATORS

BRIAN IWATA, Ph.D.

A two-day workshop for individuals involved in the education, training

and treatment of persons with mental retardation, autism and other

developmental disabilities

Nov. 2nd –Nov. 3rd , 2007

The most significant advancement in the assessment of severe behavior

disorders over the past 20 years has been the development of functional

analysis methodology. This approach has been mandated in a number of

federal standards, state guidelines, court decisions, and most recently

in IDEA amendments of 1997. Extensive research has shown that functional

analyses are invaluable in guiding decisions about treatment selection

and can produce clinically significant outcomes without the necessity of

using punishment procedures. As a result, functional analysis is now

considered " best practice " for identifying the causes

(maintaining variables) of behavior problems such as self-injury,

aggression, stereotypy, and noncompliance.

Dr. A Iwata

Iwata's work has focused on almost every behavioral aspect of

develop- mental disabilities, including basic skills acquisition,

community preparation, eating disorders, self-injurious and aggressive

behavior, and staff performance. In addition to directing clinical

research programs in each of these areas, he has served as an expert

evaluator at the individual level as well as consultant to the

departments of health, mental health, and mental retardation in over 25

states. His approach to treatment based on these experiences integrates

the perspectives of the clinician, researcher, administrator, and peer

reviewer.

Dr. Iwata received his Ph.D. in Psychology from Florida State University

and is currently Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the

University of Florida, Director of the Florida Center on Self-Injury,

and Director of the UF-ARC Prader-Willi Syndrome Program. He previously

held faculty appointment at the s Hopkins School of Medicine and

Western Michigan University. Dr. Iwata is the field's foremost

researcher on functional analysis methodology, and in this workshop, he

will provide a comprehensive review of all the currently used

techniques. The emphasis will be on translating research into practical

application, with extensive use of case examples, audience exercises,

and handouts.

His primary areas of interest are applied behavior analysis, behavioral

pediatrics, developmental disabilities, program evaluation, and staff

management. He has published over 200 articles and chapters on these

topics, and he has received over $5 million in research grants to

support that work.

Dr. Iwata is the former Chief Editor of the Journal of Applied Behavior

Analysis, Chair of the Human development Study Section of the National

Institutes of Health, President of the following societies: the

Association for Behavior Analysis, the Society for the Advancement of

Behavior Analysis, Division 33 of the American Psychological

Association, the Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, and

the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis. He is a Fellow in the

American Psychological Association, the American Psychological Society,

the American Association on Mental Retardation, and the Association for

Behavior Analysis.

Workshop Objectives: After the workshop, the participants will be able

to:

Ø Describe the purpose of conducting a functional analysis of

problem behavior.

Ø Describe the most common factors responsible for the

maintenance of self-injury, aggression, stereotypy, and destructive

behavior.

Ø Prescribe methods for protection from risk during assessment.

Ø Identify the defining features of indirect, descriptive, and

functional analysis approaches to assessment.

Ø Describe the major strengths and limitations of each general

approach to assessment.

Ø Conduct an assessment using indirect (rating scale and

questionnaire) procedures.

Ø Conduct an assessment using descriptive ( direct observation)

analysis procedures.

Ø Describe how to conduct an assessment using functional

analysis procedures.

Ø Identify three ways in which reinforcement-based interventions

reduce the frequency of problem behavior.

Ø Develop a treatment strategy for problem behavior maintained

by attention or access to preferred activities.

Ø Develop a treatment strategy for problem behavior maintained

by escape from task demands.

Ø Develop a treatment strategy for problem behavior that is

" self-stimulatory " in nature.

Ø Develop a treatment strategy for problem behavior maintained

by alleviation of discomfort.

Who Should Attend: This workshop provides essential information for

program administrators, behavior analysts, therapists, psychologists,

QMRPs, special education, supervisors of direct care providers and

parents. The procedures can be implemented across a variety of settings

– such as group homes, residential facilities, workshops, school

settings, supervised employment sites and home environments.

Workshop Format: The presentation will include lecture, graphics,

video, and discussion of specific concerns shared by the audience. Case

study and other workshop materials will be used to facilitate audience

participation in development of treatment plans.

Location: Kilmer Middle School

8100 Wolftrap Road

Vienna, Virginia 22182

Date & Time

Nov 2nd, 2007

8 to 9 Registration & Continental Breakfast - 9 until 4 Workshop -

Lunch 12 - 1 (on your own)

Nov 3rd, 2007

8 to 8:30 Sign in & Continental Breakfast - 8:30 until 2:30 Workshop

- Lunch 11:30 – 12:30 (on your own)

Cost: Early Registration fee by September 25th : $175 (POAC-NOVA

members)

Early Registration fee by September 25th: $ 195 (Non

POAC-NOVA members)

Late Registration fee after September 25th : $ 200 (POAC-NOVA

members)

Late Registration fee after September 25th : $ 220

(Non-POAC-NOVA members)

Please visit http://www.poac-nova.org <http://www.poac-nova.org/> for

registration information. Contact POAC-NOVA by e-mail at

workshops@... <mailto:workshops@...> or by phone at

703 391-2251 for confirming your slot and for any questions.