Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019 Feb 4;13(1):240-246.
doi: 10.1007/s40617-019-00342-9. eCollection 2020 Mar.

Addressing Medical Issues in Behavior Analytic Treatment

Linda Copeland  1 , Gregory Buch  2
Affiliations

Addressing Medical Issues in Behavior Analytic Treatment

Linda Copeland et al. Behav Anal Pract. .

Abstract

This article offers strategies to help behavior analysts address medical issues which may affect behavioral intervention, beginning with the intake process and continuing through treatment and the coordination of care with other healthcare providers. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board's ethical guidelines for seeking medical consultation are reviewed. The importance of documenting clients' medical histories at intake and keeping updated medical files is emphasized. Behavioral manifestations and data patterns that may serve as red flags for medical problems are reviewed, with an emphasis on clients with limited verbal skills who cannot describe their symptoms. Multiple aspects of the behavior analyst's role in the coordination of care for clients' medical conditions are discussed.

Keywords: Behavioral impact; Care coordination; Consultation; Medical variables.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Allen KD, Wallace DP. Effectiveness of using noncontingent escape for general behavior management in a pediatric dental clinic. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. 2013;46(4):723–737. doi: 10.1002/jaba.82. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Balogun SA, Philbrick JT. Delirium, a symptom of UTI in the elderly: Fact or fable? A systematic review. Canadian Geriatrics Journal. 2014;17(1):22–26. doi: 10.5770/cgj.17.90. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2017). BACB professional and ethical compliance code for behavior analysts. Retrieved from https://www.bacb.com/ethics/ethics-code.
    1. Brazelton TB, Christophersen ER, Frauman AC, Gorski PA, Poole JM, Stadtler AC, et al. Instruction, timeliness, and medical influences affecting toilet training. Pediatrics. 1999;103(6):1353–1361. - PubMed
    1. Bull MJ, Committee on Genetics, American Academy of Pediatrics Health supervision for children with down syndrome. Pediatrics. 2011;128(2):393–406. doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-1605. - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources