case study

Case Study

Gaining independence is an important piece to most medical practices this is especially true with mental health . In many cases , individuals or animals either exhibit unwanted behaviors or have a need to improve a skill set . For example , a young child throwing a temper tantrum . The parents can use positive or negative reinforcement to change this negative behavior into a positive behavior . They would do this by giving the child something when they display a positive behavior or taking something away when they display the negative behavior ( B .F . Skinner

br Foundation . This assessment will describe the client 's current behavior , assessment tools used , desired goals of treatment , possible interventions , and end results of the treatment

Psychosocial Assessment

Client is a 28 year old female . Client lives with parents and is unemployed . She presents with very low IQ (50 . She is completely dependent on her parents . Client also presents with low motivation , and tendency to have fits of rage . Client has no social support outside of home . The following is a long term problem /goal treatment plan for this client

Goals of Treatment Plan

Problem 1 : Client can not care for basic needs

Goal : Client will learn to dress , bath , and feed her self

Problem 2 : Client has limited social support system

Goal : Client will increase he social support system

Problem 3 : Client has anger management issues as a result of disability

Goal : Client will learn positive coping techniques

Problem 4 : Client has no meaningful daily activities

Goal : Client will engage in meaningful activities

Methods

Shaping will be the primary tool for this intervention . Shaping is a variation of operant conditioning . Shaping is a behavior modification or teaching technique that rewards behaviors before the client reaches actual targeted behavior . The researcher divides the goal into smaller steps , with rewards at each step . This eventually leads to the acquisition of the target behavior by the subject . In this case of this client , her parents would like her to live in a half way house Therefore the client must dress , feed , and bath herself . The following study will focus on using shaping and operant conditioning to accomplish these goals

Observation sheet for Week 1

Dressing

Attempt to help

Pick out own clothes

Partially dress self

Tie Shoes

Fully dress self Feeding

Eat finger food

Use of spoon

Use of fork

Use of fork and knife Bathing

Assist in Bathing

Wash with assistance

Wash without assistance

Hair with assistance

Hair without assistance

Figure 1 . Observation Marking Chart

Figure 2 . Behavior Observation Sheet

Based on the problems and goals previously stated , there will be three target behaviors . Researchers have received informed consent and full cooperation from the parents . The weeks

Targeted Behavior : Dress Self

Shaping for dressing herself will occur in five incremental steps attempt to help parents when dressing , pick out own clothes , partially dress self , tie shoes , and fully dress self

1 . Attempt to help her parents when dressing will be reinforced when the client displays the following behaviors : voluntary movement...