Using a phone answering machine to provide feedback to rural parents and improve student behavior

Abstract

A rural student with behavior disorders consistently engaged in numerous aggressive behaviors while in a special education classroom. Attempts at reducing these aggressive acts using a token economy system were not effective. An intervention whereby the student's parents called a phone number connected to a phone answering machine was implemented. Every evening, the parents called the special number and heard a brief report concerning the student's behavior. The parents then applied an agreed-upon contingency in the home. Results of this study revealed that the phone intervention approach was an effective way of altering the student's behavior. Advantages and possible disadvantages of this approach are discussed.