Contextual Intervention for Caregiver Non-Adherence With Behavioral Intervention Plans

Abstract

The extent to which parents and other caregivers implement behavioral interventions with integrity has an important impact on treatment effectiveness. This article considers popular interventions that train caregivers and improve treatment integrity in applied behavior analysis. After considering these interventions a contextual approach is described, whereby the function of caregiver non-adherence is considered. In particular, interventions aimed at manipulating setting factors are reviewed. The examples of respite and social support groups are provided as function-based interventions to improve caregiver adherence to behavioral recommendations. Implications for more contextual, coordinated, and comprehensive function-based behavioral services are provided.

KEYWORDS:

• adherence
• applied behavior analysis
• caregiver training
• functional assessment
• treatment integrity

Notes

¹See Allen and Warzak (2000) for an overview of this issue.

²More important, it is not my aim to provide an exhaustive analysis of this literature, but rather, to provide the reader with some examples so as to describe themes within this area of research.