SPE 567: Risk-Benefit Analysis Assignment

Purpose

Students will gain experience researching a behavioral procedure to identify and evaluate potential risks and benefits. Emphasis is placed on effective communication with colleagues and clients.  The purpose of this assignment is to allow for application and expansion of course content to real-world case evaluation.

General Information

For this project you will conduct a risk-benefit analysis using a case from your current experience. Students are encouraged to use a case example from their own experience. In situations where a current case cannot be evaluated, a hypothetical case will be provided for you. (Please contact your co-instructor to request the hypothetical case.) Note: In real cases, only pseudonyms may be used – do not use real names or locations. In accordance with the academic integrity policies of the course and program, the content of your risk-benefit analysis must be your own original work, composed specifically for this assignment during this course.

Deliverable

You will conduct a thorough risk-benefit analysis using the steps from the Bailey & Burch textbook, Chapter 16. The products will include:

1) a Risk-Benefit worksheet. (See example on page 233 in Bailey and Burch)

2) a General Risk Factors for Behavioral Treatment worksheet. (Bailey and Burch – page 226)

3) a Benefits of Behavioral Treatment worksheet. (See example on page 230 in Bailey and Burch)

4) a Reference list in APA style.

Activity Details

Complete all of the following activities. Use headings to clearly indicate what section/part of the assignment you are completing.

1. Read Chapter 16 of the textbook. Pay particular attention to the examples in figures 16.1, 16.2, and 16.3.
2. Identify a case from your current employment or a provided hypothetical case. Ideally, the case you identify (from your employment) should be one where a specific treatment intervention is being considered for a client. In the situation where a new treatment is not being considered for a client, you may conduct a retrospective risk-benefit analysis using a treatment already in place for a given client.
3. Create a Risk-Benefit worksheet for the specified treatment. Use the example on page 233 of the textbook as the guide for creating the worksheet. Components must include:
   1. Title of the treatment procedure (e.g., “Time-Out”).
   2. Specific description of the procedure (e.g., “Exclusion time-out [time out room]”).
   3. Risks and notes (e.g., “Risk: May negatively reinforce the punisher”; Notes: “This has been an issue in the past; the teacher has used TO remove the student from class because he distracts from her teaching”).
   4. Benefits and notes (e.g., “Benefit: Rapid suppression of behavior”; Notes: “Staff would appreciate a quick resolution to the challenging behavior”).
   5. Summary of Risks vs. Benefits (e.g., “Overall the benefits appear to outweigh the risks for the use of time-out in this classroom. The BA will need to provide explicit training and follow-up to ensure time-out is being used with fidelity. The use of functional communication training and DRA will complement this treatment, and time-out will be faded as soon as the student’s behavior begins to improve. The parents have approved the use of this treatment technique”).
4. Create a General Risk Factors for Behavioral Treatment worksheet. Use the example on page 228 of the textbook as a guide for creating this worksheet. Components include:
   1. List and answer the eight General Risk Factors and corresponding questions:
      1. The nature of the behavior being treated: “Is it SIB or dangerous to others?”
      1. Are there sufficient personnel or mediators to administer the treatment?
      1. Are they skilled and able to administer it correctly?
      1. Is the setting appropriate for the treatment? Safe, well lit, clean, temperature-controlled?
      1. Is the BA experienced in the treatment of this type of case?
      1. Is there any risk to others in the setting?
      1. Is there buy-in from the key people associated with this case?
      1. Is there any liability to the BA?

4. Summary of General Risks: Summarize the information obtained through analysis of the eight General Risks (e.g., “Some risks require consideration prior to beginning this treatment. The BA should provide at least 2 hours of training to all staff and the family prior to intervention. The BA should follow-up at least once per day for the first three days to ensure the procedures are being followed with fidelity. The team will plan to review the data at the end of each day to ensure they have followed the procedures correctly; the BA will be available by phone for consultation during the first few weeks of the intervention. The intervention will be reviewed for efficacy at least once weekly”).
5. Create a Benefits of Behavioral Treatment worksheet. Use the example on page 230 of the textbook as a guide for creating this worksheet. Components include:
   1. List the five Benefits of Behavioral Treatment and corresponding notes specific to the current case:
      1. Client direct benefit: “Will the client’s behavior be greatly improved through this treatment? Will the client contact new reinforcers and choices as a result of this treatment?”
      1. Indirect benefits to the setting: “Will the client environment be greatly improved because of changes in behavior? Will there be less stress for the caregiver and/or peers?”
      1. Benefits to mediators and caregivers: “Will caregivers feel more in-charge? Will morale be improved? Will staff be more eager to support the client?”
      1. Benefits to peers in the setting: “Will peers change their behavior toward the client? Will more opportunities be provided for social interaction?”
      1. General liability to the setting: “Will general liability to the setting be greatly reduced?”

5. Summary of Benefits: summarize the information obtained through analysis of the five Benefits (e.g., “The benefits for this client appear to be many. If successful, this intervention could improve his quality of life”).
6. Create a reference list for the risks and benefits of the proposed treatment procedure/intervention. You must use at least two resources for the information you include in the Risk-Benefit worksheet (Deliverable #2). Determination of risks and benefits of specific research-based interventions must be identified through review of the relevant literature. At least two sources are required, one of which must be a peer-reviewed journal article. The other source may be a book or other source. If a World Wide Web source is used, a third source from a book or another journal article must also be used. The exception to this requirement is the use of the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders Evidence-Based Practice Briefs (http://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/node/19). Use of information from the EBP Briefs does not require a third reference. All references must be in APA style.

Scoring Grid – Risk-Benefit Analysis

Risk-Benefit Analysis Templates