A Practical Guide to Functional Assessment and Treatment for Severe Problem Behavior

Professor Joshua Jessel is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the Applied Disabilities Studies, Brock University where he supervises undergraduate, Masters and Doctoral-level students in ABA research. He obtained his MS at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where he worked with individuals who exhibited severe problem behavior on the neurobehavioral inpatient unit of the Kennedy Krieger Institute; he earned his PhD at Western New England University with a primary focus on the assessment and treatment of problem behavior with autistic children. Prof. Jessel specializes in the assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior and other applications of Applied Behavior Analysis. He has recently co-edited Elsevier’s A Practical Guide to Functional Assessment and Treatment for Severe Problem Behavior. Dr. Peter Sturmey is a retired professor of psychology who remains active in research and writing. He is affiliated with Queens College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York; Brock University, Ontario; and Endicott University, Massachusetts. Prof. Sturmey brings more than three decades of research experience in Applied Behavior Analysis, including teaching and supervising master and doctoral-level ABA student research.

• Part 1: Introduction to Behavioral Assessment and Intervention 1. Problem Behavior2. Applied Behavior Analysis and Problem Behavior3. A Perspective on Today’s Applied Behavior Analysis4. Prevention and Behavioral Hygiene ProceduresPart 2: Functional Assessment of Problem Behavior 5. Indirect Assessments6. Descriptive Assessments7. Functional Analysis 8. Practical ConsiderationsPart 3: Function-Based Treatments9. Foundational Treatment Components of Function-Based Interventions10. Conemporary Intervention Approaches when Addressing Dangerous Behavior11. Addressing Severe Problem Behavior without Clear Socially Mediated Functions12. ABA Meets Psychopharmacology: The Interaction of Two MethodologiesPart 4: Promoting Sustainability and Compassionate Care 13. Application Considerations for Compassionate, Culturally Responsive and Trauma-Informed Behavioral Practices14. Professionals / Caregiver Training15. Implementation Considerations16. Collaborating with Relevant Stakeholders