Understanding Adolescent Behaviors: The Power of Pictorial Assessments

Working with adolescents who have comorbid diagnoses can be challenging, especially when they exhibit behaviors that disrupt their learning and social interactions. A recent study titled Shining a Light on the Challenging Behaviors of Adolescents with Comorbid Diagnoses: Use of Pictorial Concurrent Operant Preference Assessment explores an innovative approach to understanding these behaviors.

The Study's Approach

The research focused on using a modified version of the concurrent operant preference assessment, called the pictorial concurrent operant preference assessment. This method involves presenting adolescents with visual choices to identify the functions of their behaviors. The study aimed to determine whether this approach could effectively identify behavioral functions and serve as an alternative to traditional functional behavior assessments (FBA).

Key Findings

• Concordance with Traditional Methods: The study found that the pictorial concurrent operant preference assessment showed concordance with traditional FBAs in identifying behavioral functions.
• Behavioral Functions: Both challenging and adaptive behaviors were found to serve similar reinforcement purposes, suggesting they belong to the same functional response class.
• Preference Insights: The assessment provided insights into individual preferences, which could inform personalized intervention strategies.

Practical Implications for Practitioners

For practitioners working with adolescents with comorbid diagnoses, incorporating pictorial concurrent operant preference assessments can offer several benefits:

• Efficient and Non-Intrusive: This method is less time-consuming and intrusive compared to traditional FBAs, making it more feasible for regular use in educational settings.
• Enhanced Understanding: By identifying specific preferences and their reinforcing values, practitioners can tailor interventions that align with the adolescent's motivations.
• Improved Outcomes: Understanding the function of both challenging and adaptive behaviors can lead to more effective behavior management strategies.

Encouraging Further Research

The study highlights the potential of pictorial assessments in understanding adolescent behaviors. However, further research is needed to explore its efficacy across diverse populations and settings. Practitioners are encouraged to consider integrating this approach into their practice and contribute to ongoing research efforts.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Shining a Light on the Challenging Behaviors of Adolescents with Comorbid Diagnoses: Use of Pictorial Concurrent Operant Preference Assessment.