ASSIGNMENT HELP | Identify and define one target behavior for intervention with Bethany.

Scenario:

Case Study: Bethany

Bethany is a 12-year-old girl who has been referred to you, a BCBA, by her parents. Bethany’s parents describe that their daughter’s behavior has gotten “out of control” lately. They report to you that Bethany has begun “throwing tantrums” in which she often yells, throws household items, and at times hits her younger brother. When you ask her parents when these tantrums typically occur, they report that Bethany’s 9-year-old brother often provokes her by going into her room and taking her things. When she finds out, Bethany has begun to respond more and more violently, and once narrowly missed hitting her brother in the head while throwing a water bottle across the room. Bethany’s brother has been so scared of Bethany’s reactions that he sometimes gives her the items he took right back. Bethany’s parents worry that she may end up seriously hurting her brother if they can’t get her behavior under control soon.

Include the following in your post:

Identify and define one target behavior for intervention with Bethany.
Describe your overall purpose for intervening with Bethany.
Develop at least one clear and measurable treatment goal for Bethany.
Discuss what you think the function of Bethany’s target behavior is and how you will use this information to pick a functionally equivalent target behavior for her.

ANSWER

The target behavior for Bethany is for her to confront her brother and deal with any conflicts she may have in a civilized manner. The BCBA needs to ensure that Bethany knows that there are other ways to get what she wants from those around her without resulting in violence and hurting her brother. The overall purpose of the intervention is to help the parents teach Bethany how to get along with those around her, especially her brother. Bethany needs to be aware that her tantrums, while justified, end up hurting not only her brother but her parents as well (Sahithya, 2017). Additionally, dealing with conflict is a vital skill for Bethany, especially when she grows up, becomes more independent, and moves away from the protection and guidance of her parents.

A measurable and clear treatment goal for Bethany’s tantrums and anger would be her ability to stop, and breathe whenever she feels angry or hurt by the circumstances and people around | PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW AT writtask.com | Bethany begins making a conscious choice to calm down instead of reacting to her brother’s provocations, then she will be displaying progress in the management of her tantrums and anger.

The function of Bethany’s target behavior is to help her deal with future disappointments and conflicts in a reasonable and non-violent manner, which will go a long way in helping her form healthy relationships with those | PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW AT writtask.com | functionally equivalent target behavior for Bethany would be encouraging her to use “I feel” statements, whenever she gets angry or | PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW AT writtask.com | Bethany how to express her feelings of aggression with words as opposed to kicking, shouting, and screaming, will assist in helping her calm down and think before doing anything rash and harmful.

References

Rogers, S. L., Howieson, J., & Neame, C. (2018). I understand you feel that way, but I feel this way: the benefits of the I-language and communicating perspective during the conflict. PeerJ, 6, e4831. https://peerj.com/articles/4831/?utm_source=TrendMD&utm_campaign=PeerJ_TrendMD_1&utm_medium=TrendMD

Sahithya, B. R. (2017). Anger and Anger Management. [Blog Post]. https://psychogenicreflections.wordpress.com/2017/10/27/anger-and-anger-management/