Noncompliance, broadly defined as the failure to follow an adult instruction within a specified time period, is one of the most commonly cited reasons for behavioral referral in young children. It is also one of the most contested intervention targets in contemporary behavior analysis.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via Tennessee Association for Behavior Analysis
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Join Free →Consumers of behavioral therapies highlight the dangers of early intervention on noncompliance. Certain intervention procedures promote rote obedience without considering contextual factors, thus increasing children's risk of abuse (Goltz, 2020; Sandoval-Norton et al., 2019; Wilkenfeld & McCarthy, 2020). Yet, noncompliance with certain adult instructions, such as safety rules, can result in harm to children or their peers. Professionals may be conflicted when determining if noncompliance is an appropriate intervention target because both arguments identify contexts in which noncompliance is beneficial or detrimental. To inform the complex debates surrounding treatment of noncompliance, we conducted a systematic review of behavioral interventions targeting noncompliance for preschoolers, with a focus on the social validity of intervention goals and procedures. Specifically, we evaluated (1) the rationales researchers have cited for targeting noncompliance, (2) the types of tasks targeted in these interventions, and (3) the intervention procedures used. We will discuss whether and to what extent the intervention tasks and procedures aligned with the broader rationales for addressing noncompliance. We will invite attendees to reflect on and discuss conditions in which interventions designed to increase compliance are and are not warranted for young children.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1 | Ethics |
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All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.