A major focus of the severe behavior department
is to provide specialized services to children with autism and other developmental disabilities who display destructive behavior, such as, aggression, self-injury, pica or property destruction. These problems occur in about 10–15% of children with developmental disabilities.
Children displaying severe behavior problems may
- pose significant health risks to self and others;
- interrupt learning and development;
- cause immeasurable stress and hardship to families; and
- be at risk for long-term institutionalization
A substantial and growing body of research has shown that behavioral treatments designed with consideration of the cause(s) of problem behavior are more effective than arbitrarily selected treatments. The severe behavior disorders department determines the cause(s) of problem behavior through functional analysis.
Functional analysis results are then used to design individually tailored treatments for each child’s problem behavior. During treatment, children and key stakeholders in care participate in intervention development. The programs offered focus heavily on functional communication training and other prosocial responses critical for skill acquisition and optimizing success in home, school and community settings.
The severe behavior department offers services including evaluation, outpatient services, and day treatment (30 hours per week) and intensive outpatient (15 hours per week) programs. Each child moves through the therapy based on their individual needs.
Initial Evaluation
The caregivers and child will be seen by a team of specialists with training and expertise in the assessment of severe behavior problems. Some children require only an evaluation and written recommendations, whereas others require outpatient therapy or day treatment.
Outpatient Therapy
Children with less-severe behavior are seen multiple days per week for 1-3 hours.
Day Treatment Therapy
Those with the most severe behavior problems attend the day treatment program. We offer:
- Day Treatment for 6 hours per day, 5 days per week; or
- Intensive Outpatient for 3 hours per day, 5 days per week.
Parent Training
Once an effective treatment is developed, care providers are trained on how to use it. The long-term success of the treatment depends on how accurately the program is carried out by parents, in-home aides and other care providers. Our training involves written and spoken instruction, modeling, role-play and feedback.
The programs in the severe behavior department provide services to school-aged children (ages 3–21) who display severe behavior problems, such as, aggression, self-injury, pica or property destruction that pose a significant risk to self, others or the environment and cannot be safely managed or effectively treated in a less-intensive program.
During therapy sessions, techniques are used to identify environmental variables that may be contributing to the behavior problem. Trained therapists, as well as the child’s caregivers, conduct sessions to directly test the effects of specific environmental precursors and consequences on the behavior. A specialized therapeutic environment is used to allow safe evaluation of dangerous behavior. Padded treatment rooms with one-way windows for observation are used to allow safe evaluation of behavior.
Data are collected in order to guide assessment and development of treatment. Treatment is refined until goals are achieved. Psychologists and doctoral-level behavior analysts with specialty training oversee all therapy sessions.
Amanda Zangrillo, PsyD, BCBA-D
Director, Severe Behavior Department
UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute
Faculty bio
Toll Free
1-800-656-3937 ext. 402-559-7363
Fax: 402-559-5950
Department Brochure
Appointments
Scheduling Note: Appointments with the Severe Behavior Department are not scheduled through the Munroe-Meyer Institute Patient Information Office.
Please call the department directly at 402-559-7363 to make an appointment.