In this study, we examined the contribution of the extinction procedure in function-based interventions implemented in the general education classrooms of three at-risk elementary-aged students. Function-based interventions included antecedent adjustments, reinforcement procedures, and function-matched extinction procedures. Using a combined ABC and reversal phase design (A-B-A-B-C-B), a functional relation between the full intervention and dramatically improved levels of on-task behavior were clearly established. On removal of the extinction procedure, on-task behavior rapidly dropped to lower levels. Reinstatement of the full intervention occurred following the partial intervention condition. In every case, on-task levels rapidly improved. Using the Intervention Rating Profile–15 and Children’s Intervention Rating Profile, acceptability ratings were highest for full intervention. Limitations and implications for further research are presented.

Reviewers analyzed studies published from 1990 to 2012 to determine early childhood practitioner involvement in functional behavioral assessment (FBA) and function-based behavioral intervention plans (BIP) for children with challenging behavior, age 6 and younger. Coding of 30 studies included practitioner involvement in FBA and BIP processes, training received to conduct FBAs and implement BIPs, and social validity and treatment integrity data. Findings indicate that early childhood practitioners had a limited role in FBAs and BIPs. Practitioner training occurred more often for the BIP than for the FBA. Approximately one fourth of the studies included a description of practitioners in a collaborative role with researchers during the FBA, and approximately one-half during the BIP process, even though practitioners implemented the BIP in the majority of studies reviewed. More than one half of the studies included social validity and/or treatment integrity measures.

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The importance of practitioner participation in identifying and maintaining use of best educational practice is well established; however, little is known about the ways in which practitioners contribute to the development and dissemination of those practices within the field of emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD). This review examines patterns of authorship affiliation across journals with a primary audience of direct service providers working with students with EBD published from January 2000 through December 2010. Authors associated with institutions of higher education represented 79.8% (n = 2590) of affiliations, with practitioners comprising only 5.1% (n = 164) of all listed affiliations. Practitioners were most likely to be authors or coauthors on informative articles or reports. The implications of these findings for policy and practice are discussed.