PSYC 632: Child Behavioral Assessment and Intervention
Prerequisite: Graduate standing in psychology or permission of the instructor
Credit Hours: (3)
This course will emphasize the application of behavioral theories and principles to
administration and interpretation of child behavioral assessment instruments and techniques,
with the goal of linking assessment to intervention. Associated multicultural, legal,
and ethical issues will be examined.
Detailed Description of Course
Content This course may include the following topics
Section I: Child Behavioral Assessment
I. Administration, psychometric qualities, scoring, and interpretation of behavioral
assessment instruments
II. Conducting naturalistic behavioral observations
III. Conducting analogue assessment
IV. Conducting Functional Behavioral Analysis (FBA)
V. Administration and interpretation of informant and self-report ratings
VI. Conducting parent and teacher interviews
VII. Curriculum based assessment
VIII. Behavioral assessment with exceptionalities and conditions (e.g. ADHD, Autism,
ED, LD, TBI)
Uses: Educational (IDEA) and psychiatric (DSM-IV, ICD-10) classifications
IX. Collaboration and consultation with school and community-based professionals during
the behavioral assessment process
X. Multicultural and ethical issues related to behavioral assessment and interpretation
XI. Current research/best practices
Section II. Child Behavioral Interventions
I. Basic behavioral principles and procedures
II. Single-subject design in school settings
III. Response to intervention design
IV. Capitalizing on stimulus control
V. Token economies
VI. Motivation and behavioral modification
VII. Helping a child/adolescent to develop self-control
VIII. Cognitive behavioral modification
IX. Behavioral intervention plans and FBA with exceptionalities and conditions (e.g.,
ADHD, Autism, ED, LD, TBI)
X. Collaboration and consultation with school professionals, family, and community-based
professionals in designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating behavioral intervention
effectives
XI. Multicultural and ethical issues regarding behavioral intervention
XII. Current research/best practices
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
This course will involve lecture, lab and in-class activities for skills practice, student presentations, and discussion of cases and issues. Laboratory experience includes supervised behavioral assessment, scoring, interpretation, report writing, and linking assessment to intervention.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
1. To develop entry level competence in multicultural, ethical, legal, and best practice
considerations for behavioral assessment and intervention. (Domains 2.5, 2.10)
2. To understand behavioral frameworks for assessment administration and interpretation.
(Domains 2.4, 2.5, 2.7)
3. To develop entry level skills in administration, scoring, interpretation, and
report writing with
behavioral assessment instruments and techniques. (Domain 2.1)
4. To develop entry level skills in naturalistic observations and analogue assessment
observations. (Domain 2.1)
5. To develop knowledge of current research and best practice for school psychologists
regarding
behavioral assessment, behavioral intervention, functional behavior analysis,
and response to
intervention. (Domains 2.1, 2.10)
6. To develop an understanding of behavioral intervention programming and strategies
for
specific populations and conditions. (Domains 2.5, 2.7)
7. To develop entry level skills in designing and implementing behavioral, environmental,
group,
individual, and instructional interventions (Domains 2.1., 2.3, 2.4, 2.7, 2.9,
2.11)
8. To develop entry level skills in monitoring and evaluating behavioral, environmental,
group,
individual, and instructional interventions. (Domains 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.7, 2.9,
2.11)
9. To develop a knowledge base in facilitating interagency collaboration regarding
behavioral
assessment and interventions. (Domains 2.2., 2.6, 2.8)
10. To develop entry level skills in providing relevant and meaningful written recommendations
(e.g., psychological reports, IEP goals) based on behavioral assessment data.
(Domains 2.4.,
2.5, 2.6, 2.7)
Assessment Measures
Students will be assessed using a variety of measures, which may include a written exam, an oral exam, class and lab activities, supervised assessment case practice, case report writing, assessment and intervention presentations, intervention case study, projects, papers, and class participation.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
March 2007