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Sexually Offending Behavior: Prevention, Assessment, and Intervention |
Monday, May 27, 2013 |
3:30 PM–4:50 PM |
201 A-B (Convention Center) |
Area: DDA; Domain: Service Delivery |
Chair: Duncan Pritchard (Aran Hall School) |
Abstract: People with intellectual disabilities who present sexually offending behavior are over-represented in criminal populations, even though rates of sexually offending have been shown to be low. Previous studies have shown that poor impulse control and a lack of understanding of societal rules are important aetiological factors. The four studies described here demonstrate that people with intellectual disabilities can be prevented from committing sexually offending behavior by conducting rigorous assessment procedures and treatment interventions based on behavior analysis. The first study describes how children and young people who presented sexually offending behavior were able access community-based activities following a multi-component behavioral intervention. The second study extends previous work on the phallometric assessment of sexual interest through the use preference assessments. The third study describes the design and implementation of community-based behavioral programs for adults that increased pro-social behaviors and decreased inappropriate behaviors. As restrictions were systematically lifted, specific probes were used to assess maintenance. The fourth study focuses on the future directions of assessment and treatment, and how they can inform the management of sexually offending behavior. Taken together, the studies demonstrate that people with intellectual disabilities who present sexually offending behavior can be effectively assessed and treated. |
Keyword(s): Community-based Interventions, Developmental Disabilities, Preference Assessment, Sexually Offending Behavior |
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Managing Sexually Harmful Behavior in a Residential Special School |
DUNCAN PRITCHARD (Aran Hall School), Nicola Graham (Aran Hall School), Heather Penney (Aran Hall School), F. Charles Mace (Nova Southeastern University) |
Abstract: Children and young people with developmental disabilities who present sexually harmful behavior are marginalized and do not always participate in community-based activities. This study describes how a multi-component behavioral intervention successfully reduced the sexually harmful behavior in three participants with developmental disabilities. The intervention was comprised of cognitive behavior therapy, Social Stories and a DRO procedure. Following the intervention, the students were able to participate in a wide range of supervised community-based activities. |
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Influence of Features Other Than Age and Gender on Paired Stimulus Preference Assessments of Sexual Interest |
STEPHEN F. WALKER (University of Florida), Timothy R. Vollmer (University of Florida), Triton Ong (University of the Pacific), P. Raymond Joslyn (University of Florida) |
Abstract: Recently, Reyes (2008) evaluated a novel method of assessing intellectually disabled sexual offenders' sexual interest. The method described by Reyes used a computer program designed to present pictures of adults and children in a paired stimulus preference assessment (PSPA) format. The results of that study showed that, for 4 out of 5 participants, the results of the PSPA showed similar patterns of sexual interest when compared to results of penile plethysmograph (PPG) assessments. While these results are preliminary, they suggest that the use of preference assessments might be a less invasive method of obtaining measures of sexual interest. One limitation of Reyes (2008) is that the stimuli used in the study were designed to assess age and gender preferences, but the stimuli also differed across other parameters (e.g., hair color, clothing type). The purpose of the current study is to replicate and extend Reyes (2008) in two ways: (a) evaluate if stimulus features other than age and gender influence PSPA results, and (b) evaluate the independent effects of specific stimulus features, using digitally rendered avatars, on outcomes of PSPAs. Results show that stimulus features other than age and gender influence the results of PSPAs. |
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Community-Based Interventions for Sexual Offenders With Developmental Disabilities |
KIMBERLY CHURCH (Human Development Center), Stephani Fauerbach (Human Development Center), Valeria Parejo (Human Development Center) |
Abstract: Human Development Center (HDC), inc., is a non-profit organization that provides behavior analytic treatment to consumers with intellectual disabilities in a variety of community-based settings. HDC specializes in treating behaviors that interfere with the consumer’s ability to live successfully and safely in the community. A summary of HDC’s overall treatment package will be discussed. Probe data will be presented for two consumers with forensic involvement as a result of sexual offending that occurred prior to admission. HDC’s treatment approach includes the design and implementation of behavior plans that include specific programs designed to increase pro-social behaviors and decrease challenging behaviors, with an emphasis on teaching societal rules, and increasing appropriate avoidance behaviors and coping skills. HDC behavior analysts work closely with each consumer to help each person achieve his identified goals by setting criteria for goal achievement. Each behavior plan includes intermediate goals for target and replacement behaviors, and these goals function as the minimal threshold needed to initiate probes to determine if the skills have been generalized and can be maintained at an acceptable level with fewer supports and less supervision. For inappropriate sexual behavior, the consumer must show no instances of inappropriate sexual behavior, whether it is with or without contact, for 12 months in order to be eligible to start the fade-out/probe phase. Once the consumer reaches the intermediate goals, the fade-out plan systematically modifies the various elements of the behavior plan. The schedule for skill acquisition programs is thinned, antecedent manipulations are modified, and engagement protocols are reduced. When the consumer maintains acceptable levels of target and replacement behaviors in the modified conditions, probes start on any restriction such as alarms, limits on internet/cell phone, etc. Next, specific probes related to inappropriate sexual behavior are implemented. When the probe phase is successfully completed, a transition plan to a less restrictive setting is initiated. If the target behavior(s) being treated have the potential to cause harm to the consumer or others, then criteria for probes must be met before HDC recommends that supervision levels for the consumer can be reduced safely. |
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Future Directions in the Assessment and Treatment of Sexual Offenders With Developmental Disabilities |
JORGE RAFAEL REYES (Westfield State University), Timothy R. Vollmer (University of Florida) |
Abstract: For the past eight years, our lab has conducted a series of studies investigating the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders with intellectual disabilities. The overarching goal of this line of research has been to develop a modern behavioral approach to address both the respondent and operant features of sexual offending. Many of our early studies have addressed the respondent features of offending by determining best practices for arousal assessments (e.g., Reyes et al. 2006; Reyes, Vollmer, & Hall, 2011), assessing arousal under a variety of conditions (Reyes, Vollmer & Hall, in preparation) and investigating potential treatment components involving strategies to control arousal (Reyes, Vollmer & Hall, 2011). More recently, we have been investigating operant features of arousal by utilizing traditional preference assessment methodology to measure sexual preferences (Reyes & Vollmer, in preparation), and investigating a variety of high-risk behavior related to sexual offending (Reyes & Vollmer, in preparation). Despite the advances we have contributed to this area, it has also allowed us to more clearly determine what areas still need to be addressed. The current presentation will focus on specific future directions in the areas of assessment and treatment, and how they can ultimately inform sexual offender management. |
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