title: Functional analysis of problem behavior in children with mental retardation.
abstract: Pediatric nurses are frequently asked to give advice on behavior management. This can become considerably more difficult when the child in question has limited cognitive abilities and communication skills. It is especially complex when the behavior in question involves self-injury or aggression. Frequently used behavior modification strategies such as time-out may actually reinforce the inappropriate behavior in these children by allowing them to escape from an aversive task. Likewise, other common behavior management strategies such as discussion, saying "no," or yelling at the child, may reinforce the inappropriate behavior by providing attention for it. It is sometimes difficult to identify the antecedents of self-injurious or aggressive behavior, making appropriate behavior management plans elusive. However, functional analysis can be used to identify the functions that serve to maintain a child's inappropriate behavior, and may provide a basis for developing and implementing an individualized behavior management plan. The possibility that discomfort from an untreated or undertreated physiologic problem is exacerbating the behavior should not be overlooked.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital School, 100 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Joni-bosch@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Bosch
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ringdahl
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing*; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology