Experts Recommend Improvements to Ontario Developmental Services
TORONTO, Jan. 15, 2019 /CNW/ - A report by the Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis titled 'Evidence-Based Practices for the Treatment of Challenging Behaviour in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities' has identified gaps in Ontario's developmental service system.
The report summarizes research on the impact of challenging behaviour, identifies evidence-based treatments, and makes recommendations for improving the quality and accessibility of behavioural services in Ontario.
Challenging behaviour refers to physically aggressive, self-injurious, and destructive behaviour that poses a significant risk to an individual's health and safety, as well as those around them. Research indicates that as many as 52% of individuals with intellectual disabilities may present with challenging behaviour; typically as a result of a combination of developmental, genetic, and environmental factors. Contextual factors such as a lack of social supports, unaddressed skill deficits, and exposure to substandard conditions also contribute to the onset of challenging behaviour.
"Although evidence-based treatments for severe behavioural challenges like physical aggression and self-injury exist, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ontario are often unable to access them. There may be several reasons for this, including: chronic underfunding, extreme waitlists, a lack of professional regulation, and unenforceable oversight mechanisms" says Dr. Alison Cox, chair of the Ontario Scientific Expert Taskforce for the Treatment of Challenging Behaviour.
"The personal and financial cost of failing to provide effective behavioural treatment when it is needed most is enormous. We are seeing the impact of this gap across the lifespan in education, healthcare and social services. We are expelling, overmedicating and incarcerating individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities because we are failing to provide necessary behavioural treatment," says Dr. Cox.
"There is evidence that behaviour analytic interventions can dramatically improve the quality of life of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Individuals should be able to access high quality behavioural services from qualified professionals, but at the moment that isn't happening."
The report makes nine recommendations, including: (1) a direct funding option that would allow families to access behavioural treatments faster, (2) public funding for evidence-based treatments only, (3) and regulation of clinicians who practice Applied Behaviour Analysis in Ontario. The guidelines also call for action on the inappropriate use of psychotropic medications to sedate individuals presenting with behavioural challenges and a developmental services infrastructure that allows for effective treatment.
Download the full report here.
SOURCE Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis
For interviews contact: [email protected]
Share this article