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It May Be Nonaversive, But Is It a Positive Approach? Relevant Questions to Ask Throughout the Process of Behavioral Assessment and Intervention

It is important for people involved in the art and science of behavior change to reflect on the ethical issues inherent in this work. Simply because interventions are not inhumane or disrespectful does not, by default, make them person-centered or examples of positive behavior support. It is recommended that a series of questions be thoughtfully addressed when a functional behavior assessment is conducted and subsequent interventions and supports are designed. Specifically, the following questions should be considered: (a) Does the person have opportunities to express opinions and to control his or her life through meaningful choices? (b) What needs does the person address through his or her problem behavior? (c) How will our actions positively influence the person’s quality of life? (d) How have the people who know and care about the person participated in the process? (e) How will the approach that is used affect the people implementing the procedures and others? (f) Would you use the interventions selected with a family member or friend? and (g) How will the behavioral interventions minimize the likelihood of crisis? Asking these questions can help to assure that behavioral interventions enhance the quality of people’s lives and can help to reduce the emergence of crisis situations. It is essential for those of us involved in various forms of behavior change endeavors to find time to reflect on and consider the ethical issues inherent in our activities. It is tempting to believe that if we are not doing work that is disrespectful or inhumane we are acting in a personcentered manner. It is important to note that there can be a vast and dangerous gray space between those practices we know to be unethical and those that would be truly life-affirming. In the spirit in which the concepts of positive approaches and positive behavior support are intended, it is important to recognize that every approach that does not rely on aversive or restrictive procedures is not by default a positive approach. Positive approaches are those that enhance a person’s life and are characterized by collaboration versus control. Positive approaches are much more focused on illumination (understanding the meanings and purposes of the behavior from the individual’s point of view) than on elimination (simply extinguishing a problem behavior). According to Carr et al. (2002), positive behavior support (PBS) is an applied science that uses educational and systems change methods (environmental redesign) to enhance quality of life and minimize problem behavior. Three major sources have served as catalysts to the evolution and maturation of PBS: the empirical basis of applied behavior analysis, the normalization/ inclusion movement, and person-centered values (including self-determination). Carr et al. (2002) additionally noted that although elements of PBS can be found in other approaches, its uniqueness lies in the fact that it integrates critical person-centered features into a cohesive approach. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions Volume 10 Number 1 January 2008 72-78 © 2008 Hammill Institute on Disabilities 10.1177/1098300707311389 http://jpbi.sagepub.com hosted at http://online.sagepub.com