About the presentation:
Research on the functional analysis of severe behavior (aggression, self-injury, property destruction) has yielded a great deal of information about the conditions that give rise to and maintain such behavior in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These collective findings have produced a powerful technology for behavior change; however, the prevailing focus of behavior analytic services remains on the treatment of existing severe behavior. In this presentation, I will propose several strategies to prevent the initial onset of severe problem behavior. Strategies will be based on a review of emerging areas of research in both the functional analysis of severe behavior and prevention.
Upon completion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Distinguish between preventing the occurrence and preventing the development of problem behavior
- Describe several strategies for preventing the development of problem behavior
- Describe the relevance of function-based interventions to the prevention of severe behavior
About the presenter:
Tara Ann Fahmie is an assistant professor of psychology at California State University, Northridge. She received a master’s degree from the University of Kansas and a doctoral degree from the University of Florida under the mentorship of Dr. Gregory Hanley and Brian Iwata, respectively. Her research and clinical experiences have focused on the assessment, treatment, and prevention of problem behavior in individuals with and without developmental disabilities. She currently conducts research in collaboration with her graduate students in educational and clinical settings. Her professional presentations and publications highlight her growing interest in the extension of functional analysis methodology to the prevention of severe problem behavior.