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| Current and Future Issues in Litigation Related to EIBI |
| Sunday, May 25, 2008 |
| 3:00 PM–3:50 PM |
| International South |
| Area: AUT |
| Chair: Gina Green (San Diego State University) |
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| Obtaining Health Insurance Coverage of ABA Intervention for Autism. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| GINA GREEN (San Diego State University) |
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| Abstract: Health insurance coverage of early intensive ABA intervention for autism could afford tremendous benefits to the field of behavior analysis, children with autism and their families, and other entities that fund autism services. Although some health insurance providers now pay for this intervention, others continue to deny coverage on the grounds that the intervention is unproven, experimental, ineffective, or even harmful. Those contentions are often supported by reviews of research by non-behavior analysts who maintain that there is insufficient evidence of the efficacy of early intensive ABA from randomized clinical trials, and who ignore or dismiss the evidence from studies using within-subject designs while giving credence to methodologically weak studies and anecdotal reports suggesting that the intervention is ineffective. This paper discusses some strategies for countering such positions and for overcoming other obstacles to securing third-party payment for ABA intervention. |
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| Forensic ABA: When a Functional Behavior Assessment [FBA] is used in Court Expert Testimony. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| DAVID L. HOLMES (Lifespan Services, LLC) |
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| Abstract: When a Behavior Analyst is used as an expert witness in court proceedings it is important to understand the dynamics of what forensic material is useful in persuading the jury and judge. It has been found that a Functional Behavior Assessment [FBA] is a very persuasive document that is readily understood and clearly supportive of the testimony of the behavior analyst's view. This is often compared with testimony that is based upon the testimony of expert witnesses who present their findings solely upon "a high degree of professional certainty". By having quantified, evidence based information the credibility of the expert witness is increased and goes a long way in securing successful rulings in court related matters. This presentation will review cases that have been successfully litigated for children and adults with autism utilizing an FBA as the foundation for the testimony of a behavior analyst. |
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