Opportunities and Considerations for Applied Behavior Analysis in Person-Centered Adult Services in Residential Settings

A continuum of supports which have emerged following deinstitutionalization have created opportunities for behavior analysts to provide clinical services and design environments for staff and those served by them. Relatively recent advocacy efforts have created a climate which is deeply concerned with serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and those who support them, in ways which earnestly approach the question of the intended outcome of services. Answering this question requires the navigation of a complex network of risks and values-based considerations. One way to make these decisions more effective may be through careful direct assessment of behavior, both verbal and nonverbal. While behavior reduction is still an area which may create inroads for behavior analysts, learning targets may also provide opportunities for individuals versed in functional assessment, foundational learning principles, and idiographic data analysis to impact the lives of unique and diverse individuals.