Preliminary findings on the effects of medication advocacy and daily behavior ratings on prescriber behavior

Abstract

Over a 1‐year period, we trained caregivers to employ a color‐coded daily behavior rating system whereby green denoted a high level of appropriate behavior, yellow denoted a mix of some appropriate behavior and mild problem behavior, and red denoted a high level of problem behavior. We then used these ratings to generate graphs that caregivers brought to their child's prescriber appointments. Preliminary data comparing unconditional and conditional probabilities from 25 prescriber visits with 12 participants indicate prescribers were most likely (a) to decrease psychotropic medication following green ratings, (b) increase psychotropic medication following red ratings, and (c) make no changes following yellow ratings. Across participants, prescribers' decisions matched the color code for 76% of trials. These preliminary findings support continued inclusion of the medication‐advocacy training component to facilitate deprescribing of psychotropic medication within our state‐funded project.

Caregiver involvement in applied behavior‐analytic research: A scoping review and discussion

“…Caregiver input was on an increasing trend from 2018 to 2022 as seen in Figure 2 (white triangles). Caregiver input was most used to identify potential reinforcers or other stimuli ( n = 77; e.g., Clark et al, 2015) or to select target responses ( n = 63; e.g., Coon et al, 2022). Caregiver input was also used to individualize assessment procedures or conditions ( n = 30; e.g., Call et al, 2016; Slaton et al, 2017).…”

“…Caregivers collected duration data in two studies (e.g., duration of naps, McLay et al, 2019) and interval data in two studies (e.g., partial‐interval recording of sibling playtime, Walton & Ingersoll, 2012). Caregivers reported permanent product data in one study (steps from a pedometer; Ek et al, 2016) and a rating in one study (level of appropriate behavior and challenging behavior; Coon et al, 2022).…”