Applied Behavior Analysis – General

Applied Behavior Analysis – General The purpose of this chapter is to establish guidelines and incorporate best practices for the application of Applied Behavior Analysis principles and strategies to assist people demonstrating significant deficits or excesses in the areas of communication, activities of daily living (ADLs) and self-help skills, social and behavioral challenges including people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism Spectrum Disorder includes any of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders in the most recent edition of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or in the editions of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in effect at the time of diagnosis. A. The provider must develop policies and procedures that address all components of service provision including identification assessments, treatment plans, behavior plans, caregiver involvement, data collection methods, admission, coordination of care, and transition and discharge plans including treatment follow-up. B. Documentation of consents, assessment procedures and results, baseline behavior measurements and recordings, treatment plans, and treatment baseline and outcomes must be included in the person’s record. C. Eligibility criteria include a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, an eligibility determination for Early and Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment, when medically necessary. It is the intent of this service to alter social and learning environments along with developing functional skills necessary to assist people to thrive in their homes and communities and/or prevent hospitalizations or out-of-home placements. Applied Behavior Analysis Services include empirically validated methods that are designed to build effective contingencies and support to facilitate optimal functioning for people who receive such services. All services are provided in accordance with the Mississippi Division of Medicaid’s current Administrative Code and the State Plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program. D. Services must be provided by people licensed in the state of Mississippi as a Licensed Behavior Analyst or Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst under the supervision of a Licensed Behavior Analyst. Behavior Technicians must be certified as Registered Behavior Technicians and listed with the State Licensure Board under a supervising Licensed Behavior Analyst. Licensed Psychologists whose scope of practice, training, and competence include Applied Behavioral Analysis may provide Applied Behavior Analysis Services. E. A personnel record must be maintained on all employees and include information as indicated in Chapter 11. Evidence of continuing education hours to maintain current licensing requirements must also be included in the personnel record. F. Applied Behavior Analysis Services include: 1. Problem-Identification Assessment by licensed personnel including the following processes as deemed appropriate by licensed personnel. (a) Review of file information about the person’s medical status, prior assessments, and prior treatments. (b) Stakeholder interviews and/or rating scales. (c) Review of assessments by other professionals. (d) Direct observation and measurement of the person’s behavior in structured and unstructured situations. (e) Determination of baseline levels of adaptive and maladaptive behaviors. (f) Functional behavior analysis. (g) Selection of treatment targets in collaboration with family members or stakeholders. (h) Development of written protocols for treating and measuring all treatment targets. 2. Development, monitoring, and management of Behavior Support Plans directed by licensed professionals which includes Adaptive Behavior Treatment with Protocol Modification, Exposure Adaptive Behavior Treatment with Protocol Modification, Adaptive Behavior Treatment by Protocol by Technician, Family Behavior Treatment Guidance, Group Adaptive Behavior Treatment by Protocol, and/or Adaptive Behavior Treatment with Treatment Protocol. G. Once skill acquisition has occurred, generalization training must be put in place so that skills are used across settings to maximize treatment for the person.