Behavioral Intervention

ANCOR Position Statement: Behavioral Intervention

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.