Treatment of Aggression in an Adult With Intellectual Disability and Physical Impairment Through Function-Based Ambulatory Support

Abstract

We report the case of a man who had intellectual disability and physical impairment, required assistance from care-providers when ambulating, and demonstrated aggression during transitions between locations. Results of a functional analysis suggested that aggression was negatively reinforced by termination of transition-assisted guidance from care-providers. Intervention evaluation found that aggression during transitions was eliminated by providing the man with ambulatory support through a gait-trainer device that removed the need for care-provider assistance. The case study supports and extends previous research on the analysis and treatment of problem behaviors occurring during environmental transitions.