The American Network of Community Options
and Resources (ANCOR) has viewed with concern the proliferation in recent years
of published articles espousing the value of aversive behavior intervention
procedures. We believe that the use of punishing, physically painful, emotionally
frightening and deprivational techniques is in conflict with the right of people
with disabilities to be free from harm, exploitation, abuse and degrading treatment.
Research over the past 30 years has confirmed the efficacy of
positive behavioral methods, including the use of positive interventions, in
shaping socially productive behaviors as well as the efficacy of environmental
manipulations in extinguishing behaviors that are detrimental to individuals
in society.
Thus, ANCOR takes the position that:
Supports and services should be provided in programs and environments
that are free from chemical restraints (pharmacological in lieu of positive
intervention), environmental deprivation (environments that are not generally
acceptable to persons without disabilities) and aversive stimuli (including
corporal punishment, electric shock or automatic electric shock devices).
Environments should be free from conditions that promote maladaptive
behavior.
Behavioral interventions must be provided in the context of
positive programming including systematic and longitudinal training of meaningful
behavior to replace behavior which may be socially nonproductive.
Behavioral interventions that withhold regular meals, essential
nutrition and hydration, intentionally inflict pain, use chemical or other
restraint in lieu of positive programming; or which involve the employment
of techniques which produce physical or psychological pain, humiliation or
discomfort must be eliminated.
Contingency-based treatment options which result in any of
the following reactions must cease to be implemented: (a) repulsion or stress
exhibited by peers and community members who have no disability; (b) rejection
as unacceptable for persons without disabilities or as irreconcilable with
accepted community standards; (c) side-effects such as illness, severe physical
or emotional stress, or tissue damage, whether potential or actual.
Interventions designed to alter behavior must be devised and
applied in a caring, humane and dignified manner with the ultimate goal of
individual self-actualization and increased opportunities for increased self-direction,
personal choice and independent action.
Behavioral interventions must be based on positive techniques
in normal environments designed to develop and maintain socially productive
individual activity; and must be monitored systematically to ensure consistency
with individual needs, preferences and the successful achievement of established
goals.
