Piazza, C. C., Hanley, G. P., Bowman, L. G., Ruyter, J. M., Lindauer, S. E., & Saiontz, D. M. (1997).
Functional analysis and treatment of elopement.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
30, 653-672.
Elopement is a dangerous behavior because children who run away
may encounter life-threatening situations (e.g., traffic). We
conducted functional analyses of the elopement of 3 children who
had been diagnosed with developmental disabilities. The results
identified a maintaining reinforcer for the elopement of 1 child,
but the data were difficult to interpret for 2 of the children.
Subsequent reinforcer assessments were used to help to clarify
the reinforcers for elopement for these 2 children. Results of
the functional analyses and reinforcer assessments then were used
to develop successful treatments to reduce elopement. The
findings are discussed in terms of (a) the application of
functional analysis methodology to elopement, (b) the use of
reinforcer assessments to identify potential reinforcers when
standard functional analyses are undifferentiated, and (c) the
utility of assessment-based treatments for elopement.
DESCRIPTORS: elopement, developmental disabilities, functional
analysis, reinforcer assessments, concurrent operants