Antecedent Assessment and Assessment-Based Treatment of Off-Task Behavior in a Child Diagnosed with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Abstract

The use of an antecedent assessment and an assessment-based intervention for the treatment of off-task behavior exhibited by an 11-year old child diagnosed with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is illustrated. The assessment indicated that the highest rates of off-task behavior occurred when the child was presented with difficult academic tasks. A treatment package that included Functional Communication Training (FCT), which was used to teach the child to request assistance with his work, and contingency contracting (i.e., access to preferred items contingent upon task completion), was then implemented. A multiple baseline across tasks design was used to evaluate the effects of the intervention package. Results indicated that the package was successful in reducing off-task behavior. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]