Behavioral Consultation

Description of the Strategy

Behavioral consultation is a problem-solving process based on an indirect service delivery model in which a consultant (e.g., school psychologist) works with a consultee (e.g., classroom teacher) to create a specific change in the behavior or performance of a target client (e.g., student). Thus, behavioral consultation involves three parties: (a) the consultant—a person with expertise in applied behavioral analysis, behavioral consultation, and intervention; (b) the target client—the person (usually a student) who is identified as being academically or social behaviorally unsuccessful; and (c) the consultee—a teacher or other person who is in direct contact with the target client and who requests assistance in developing and implementing an intervention that will improve the target client's academic or social behavior performance. The consultant typically has minimal, if any, contact with the target client. Instead, the consultant works with the consultee to design intervention plans based on the student's prior academic success rates or the assessed function of the target social behavior. The plan is then implemented by the consultee.

Assumptions. Several fundamental assumptions serve as the foundation for behavior consultation. First, the consultee is an active participant charged with assisting in designing the plan, implementing the plan as [Page 1177]designed, and monitoring student progress. Second, the target client may develop his or her problemsolving skills by participating in this process. Third, behavioral consultation provides the consultant with an opportunity to share knowledge with the consultee. Fourth, behavioral consultation provides a framework for data-based decision making. Fifth, behavioral consultation views the target problems as separate from character traits. Sixth, the model emphasizes the role of environmental factors in influencing behavior. Finally, behavior consultation focuses on achieving goals and implementing plans effectively. Collectively, these assumptions set the stage for the four-stage consultation model.

Four Stages. The behavioral consultation model, as originally conceptualized, contains four stages: problem identification, problem analysis, plan implementation, and plan evaluation. The first, second, and fourth stages contain separate interviews with objectives that the consultant is responsible for achieving.

In the first problem-solving stage, the problem is identified via the problem identification interview, which involves the consultant and the consultee. Specific objectives of this stage include (a) determining the scope of concerns that prompted the consultee to seek support, (b) identifying the primary target of concern, (c) operationally defining the target behavior, (d) determining the present level of functioning, (e) delineating preliminary goals, (f) identifying preliminary information regarding the antecedents that set the stage for the problem behavior and the consequences that appear to be maintaining the target behavior, (g) selecting a data collection method (e.g., frequency, duration) and determining which person will be responsible for collecting the data, and (h) setting a time for the problem analysis interview.

In the second stage, problem analysis, the problem is examined in more detail, and a plan is designed to address the target behavior identified in the problem identification phase. Specific objectives include (a) examining baseline data; (b) establishing goals for the level of change; (c) conducting formal observations to determine the environmental variables (e.g., antecedents and consequences) influencing the target behavior; (d) designing the intervention plan, including the overall strategies and the specific tactics; (e) confirming the appropriateness of the data collection procedures; and (f) preparing for plan implementation and scheduling the next interview (the plan evaluation interview).

...