An intervention to reduce disruptive behaviours in children with brain injury.
This study investigated the effectiveness of a behavioural intervention programme in reducing disruptive behaviours in children with brain injury. The behavioural package included programme rules, a token economy with response cost and mystery motivators. Participants were three male patients in an after-school programme at a rehabilitation hospital who were identified as having both a brain injury and disruptive behaviours in the classroom setting. Two control composites were formed, one with children who behaved appropriately and one with children who behaved in a disruptive manner. This study employed a multiple baseline design across individuals. The participants' disruptive behaviour decreased during the intervention phase by an average of 69%; the effect size of each participant's improvement was 'large'. The comparisons' disruptive behaviour was unchanged. This pronounced decrease in disruptive behaviours for the three participants was maintained in the follow-up phase. This short-term, easily implemented package altered important programme and social behaviours positively, were well received by children and staff and resulted in long-term improvements to behavioural deficits secondary to brain injury. These results are discussed in terms of theoretical disagreements, methodological issues and practical community-based interventions in brain-injured children.
Mottram
Lisa
L
lmott902@stjohns.edu
Berger-Gross
Paul
P
D000293:Adolescent; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D012919:Social Behavior