B1H: Considerations for Behavior Analysts in Coordinating Care with Medical Professionals

Challenging behavior (e.g., aggression, property destruction, elopement) can serve as a critical barrier to accessing medical care among individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (e.g., Stuesser and Roscoe, 2020; Walker et al., 2022). Over time, limited access to healthcare providers can affect the individual’s long-term health and well-being (Kupzyk and Allen, 2019). Coordinated efforts are, therefore, necessary to promote access to healthcare, and ultimately improve the wellness of the individual and their caregivers, alike. Collaborative practice and interprofessional care coordination have become foundational elements in healthcare service delivery. Coordinated care involves engaging multidisciplinary teams and comprehensive, continuous, and patient-centered care. In alignment with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) Ethics Code, behavior analysts must prioritize the best interest of the individual by actively collaborating with other providers (BACB, 2022, Section 2.10) and accounting for medical variables that may impact behavior (BACB, 2022, Section 2.12). The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the importance of coordinating care with medical professionals and provide strategies to assess the individual’s access to medical services and advocate for access to primary and specialized medical care.

Learning Objectives

Identify the importance of coordinating care with medical professionals and establishing a collaborative relationship.

Assess the individual’s access to medical services and advocate for access to primary and specialized medical care.

Identify strategies that will increase access to medical visits and reduce challenging behavior in these contexts.

Speakers